As someone who has been mewing for over 2 years now, along with doing tens of hours of research on everything about mewing, one of my first questions when starting was whether it could cause asymmetry.
We’ll be discussing whether or not mewing does cause asymmetry, and if it does, how can you avoid it?
TLDR: Mewing can cause asymmetry when done very incorrectly. But, as long as your mewing is relatively symmetrical and controlled, it won’t damage your face.
What Causes Facial Asymmetry?
Before we can answer the question of whether mewing can cause asymmetry, we need to understand what causes facial asymmetry in the first place.
Many factors can contribute to this, including genetics, injury, illness, and lifestyle habits like smoking or poor nutrition.
However, one of the most common causes of facial asymmetry is a misalignment of the jaw or teeth.
This can lead to a variety of issues like an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, which can affect not only the appearance of the face but also the function of the mouth and jaw.
Facial asymmetry can also be caused by seemingly harmless habits, such as leaning on one side of your face or sleeping on one side of your pillow your whole life.
Can Mewing Cause Asymmetry?
If your tongue is creating an uneven force while mewing, you’ll most likely notice some asymmetry forming in around 3-4 months.
It takes a long time for the effects of mewing to be noticeable, which is why it’s important to fix it before it’s too late.
So, in conclusion, yes, but there’s still much more to this:
Mewing itself doesn’t cause asymmetry. The only way mewing will possibly cause asymmetry is when it’s done incorrectly.
If you’re worried that you might be causing asymmetry, try this test:
With your tongue, push against the upper palate. Now, try to notice which side of your palate is feeling more force.
If you notice that one side is getting more “push” than the other, try to bring the force into the middle of the palate to ensure correct mewing.
If you can’t notice any significant difference in force on either side, you’re doing it right.
However, our upper palates aren’t perfectly even either. Some dip lower on the left side than the right, and some are more wide on the right than the left.
So, if you’re feeling a lack of force, also check if it’s caused by your tongue or the shape of your palate.
If your palate causes it, push harder against the shorter/more narrow side so that you can slowly balance the two sides. This is one of the only exceptions where uneven mewing is helpful.
Does Mewing Fix Facial Asymmetry?
Now that we’ve discussed whether mewing can cause asymmetry let’s explore whether it can fix existing asymmetry.
Generally, mewing can help with minor asymmetries but don’t expect it to change your face overnight. It takes months of mewing even to see slight noticeable changes, especially when it has to do with the facial structure.
You might see jaw improvements in a matter of weeks, but for something drastic as facial symmetry, it will take time.
That being said, mewing can’t fix any severe asymmetries, but it can definitely improve it and make it less noticeable.
But overall, the answer is yes.
Disclaimer: Mewing is not a replacement for any dental or orthodontic treatment.
Other Factors That Affect Facial Symmetry
Off the topic of mewing, there are many other factors that tie into Orthotropics that affect facial asymmetry. After all, we’re not just a mewing website.
Things like your posture, diet, aging, smoking, and even minor things like your sleep position play a large role in how your face develops over time.
Anyone looking to improve their facial symmetry should also take a holistic approach to their health and wellness.
This might involve seeking professional care from an orthodontist or dentist, making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or improving nutrition, and practicing good sleep hygiene and posture habits.
Summary
Overall, mewing does affect your face’s symmetry, for better or worse. Whether or not you do it unevenly, it will have a significant change in your general facial structure.
Always try to improve your mewing technique and research everything; you might be making a big mistake you don’t know about.