Mewing is a new orthodontic trend that has gained popularity in recent years. This technique is based on the idea that by changing the way you position your tongue in your mouth, you can alter the shape of your face, improve your breathing, and even straighten your teeth.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what mewing is, how it works, and whether or not it’s a safe and effective method for improving your oral health and appearance.
What Is Mewing?
Mewing is a technique that involves changing the position of your tongue in your mouth to promote better oral posture. Specifically, it involves placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, and applying gentle pressure.
The idea behind mewing is that by maintaining this tongue position over time, you can encourage proper growth and development of your facial bones and muscles, as well as improve your breathing and posture.
The term “mewing” was coined by Dr. Steven Wallace, an American Orthodontist who has been studying the relationship between oral posture and facial structure for many years. According to Dr. Mew, proper tongue posture is essential for proper facial development and can help prevent a number of common orthodontic problems, such as crowded teeth, narrow dental arches, and even sleep apnea.
How Does Mewing Work?
The theory behind mewing is that by placing your tongue in the correct position, you can create more space in your mouth and encourage proper growth and alignment of your teeth and facial bones.
When you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, it exerts gentle pressure on your teeth and the surrounding bone. Over time, this pressure can help to expand your dental arch and create more room for your teeth to come in straight. Additionally, by encouraging proper growth and alignment of your facial bones, mewing can help to improve your overall facial symmetry and appearance.
But mewing isn’t just about aesthetics. By promoting proper tongue posture and breathing, mewing can also have a number of health benefits, including:
- Improved breathing: By keeping your tongue in the correct position, you can help to open up your airways and improve your breathing. This can be particularly beneficial for people who suffer from sleep apnea or other breathing-related conditions.
- Reduced risk of TMJ: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a common condition that can cause jaw pain, headaches, and other uncomfortable symptoms. By improving your oral posture, mewing can help to reduce your risk of developing TMJ.
- Better posture: Proper tongue posture can also help to improve your overall posture and reduce your risk of developing back pain or other musculoskeletal issues.
Is Mewing Safe?
While there is some evidence to suggest that mewing can be an effective method for improving oral posture and facial symmetry, it’s important to approach this technique with caution.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that there is currently very limited research on the safety and effectiveness of mewing. While some anecdotal evidence suggests that mewing can be beneficial for some people, there is no scientific consensus on the topic.
Additionally, there are some potential risks associated with mewing, particularly if you are not doing it correctly. For example, placing too much pressure on your teeth or jaw can cause discomfort or even damage to your teeth or gums. Similarly, if you have any underlying dental or orthodontic problems, attempting to correct them through mewing alone could be dangerous.
If you’re considering trying mewing, it’s important to do your research and consult with a qualified healthcare professional before getting started. A dentist or orthodontist can help you determine whether mewing is a safe and appropriate method for achieving your desired results.
