Are you eager to improve your facial structure, specifically your jawline and teeth alignment? If yes, then you’re at the right place.
We’re about to dive deep into a technique known as mewing, which can help you achieve exactly that.
This method is backed by robust research and has been gaining popularity due to its potential benefits not only for aesthetics but also for health.
What is Mewing?
Mewing is a facial restructuring technique proposed by British orthodontists Dr. John Mew and Dr. Mike Mew.
It involves the proper positioning of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, leading to potential improvements in facial structure and oral health.
The focus of mewing is to help the face develop properly, leading to a well-defined jawline and straight teeth.
The technique emphasizes that proper tongue posture should become an unconscious habit for best results.
The Science behind Mewing
The human skull is a combination of several bones held together by connective tissues, known as sutures.
These sutures act as “weak spots” for the skull that can be shifted around with minimal force.
The concept of mewing leverages this fact and suggests that by maintaining correct tongue posture, one can influence the shape of the upper jaw (maxilla) and, over time, the entire facial structure.
Can Mewing Straighten Your Teeth?
While mewing can potentially help the upper and lower, there isn’t any evidence suggesting that mewing is able to straighten teeth.
That being said, it may be able to straighten teeth indirectly through palatal expansion and through aligning the lower and upper jaw.
This can potentially resolve problems with malocclusions, which are a condition where the teeth are not properly aligned when the mouth is closed.
That being said, there is no evidence that mewing can realign crooked teeth.
It’s unlikely that mewing will have any affect on crooked teeth directly.
If you’re looking to fix crooked teeth, consider traditional orthodontics instead.
Mewing is still effective with braces, and your teeth will shift into their natural position over time.
However, mewing can serve as a complementary exercise to orthodontic treatments and help prevent further dental issues.
How Mewing Affects Teeth Straightness
Crooked teeth are often linked to the size and alignment of the jaw.
Jaws that are well-proportioned and aligned provide ample room for teeth growth, preventing crowding, and subsequent misalignment.
On the other hand, smaller jaws may not offer sufficient space, leading to crowded and crooked teeth.
Mewing can, to an extent, help in expanding the palate, thereby creating more room for the teeth, potentially reducing crowding.
These processes take years, and aren’t very noticeable.
Mewing may straighten your teeth eventually, but you should seek professional orthodontic care to fix crooked teeth.
The process takes time, and results are more prominent in younger individuals whose bones are still developing and are more malleable.
Palatal Expansion
Many dental issues are caused by the lack of space in the palate.
These issues can range from crooked teeth, crowded teeth, misaligned bites, and more.
Through mewing, you can achieve a significant amount of palatal expansion, and you may be able to alleviate some of the issues.
However, it is unlikely that your palate will expand enough to affect most dental issues/malocclusions.
Mewing and Orthodontic Treatment
Mewing serves as a preventive measure and a complementary exercise to orthodontic treatments.
Orthodontic treatments like braces and retainers work by pulling the teeth into their proper place, which mewing cannot accomplish.
However, mewing can potentially help in maintaining the results achieved through orthodontics and prevent further misalignment.
Mewing with Braces and Retainers
If you’re using braces or retainers, it’s crucial to adapt your mewing technique carefully.
The goal is to ensure that the tongue does not exert pressure on the teeth or the orthodontic device.
The focus should be on applying gentle pressure upwards on the roof of the mouth.
However, it’s recommended to consult with your orthodontist before starting mewing alongside your orthodontic treatment.
Mewing Mistakes to Avoid
Mewing involves maintaining the right position of your teeth and tongue.
It’s essential that you avoid any mistakes that could lead to jaw issues or further damage your teeth.
Make sure that your teeth are in a resting position and not clashing against each other when mewing.
Also, remember not to apply excessive lateral pressure on your dental arch.
Summary
Although mewing might not directly straighten your teeth, it can potentially help improve your facial structure and prevent further dental issues.
It works best when started at a young age and practiced consistently and correctly.
However, it’s essential to remember that mewing is not a quick fix—it requires time and patience.
So, are you ready to start your journey to a better facial structure with mewing?
Remember, the journey might be slow, but with commitment and consistency, the results could be worth the wait!