When it comes to facial aesthetics, a well-defined jawline often takes the spotlight.
Many techniques promise a chiseled jawline, but two exercises have gained significant attention: mewing and chewing hard gum.
This guide explores these techniques, their pros and cons, and how they can be effectively combined for maximum benefits
Mewing & Chewing Gum
Mewing, a concept introduced by Dr. John Mew, involves the positioning of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. This practice is believed to realign teeth and transform facial structure over time.
Chewing gum on the other hand, involves chewing a piece of gum (preferably a hard gum) in an intent to work out the masseter muscle to make it grow.
This in turn creates a broader, sharper jawline.
Pros of Mewing
Some of the potential benefits of mewing include improved facial symmetry and a more defined jawline.
Additionally, mewing may increase nasal airflow, improve oral health and posture, and reduce snoring.
While there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims, many people have reported positive results from practicing mewing regularly.
Overall, mewing is a natural and non-invasive way to potentially improve both appearance and health.
Pros of Chewing Gum
Chewing gum devleops your masseter muscle, and partly your temporalis.
These two muscles are the primary muscles involved in mewing.
Not only does growing these muscles make your face look broader, sharper, and more attractive, but they also make mewing easier.
There are many more benefits of chewing gum like stress prevention, concentration, and more, but we won’t be talking about them as they aren’t related to chewing in Orthotropics.
Mewing Vs Chewing Gum
When comparing mewing and chewing gum, it’s crucial to remember that they serve different purposes and can complement each other.
Mewing for Long-Term
Mewing is a long-term commitment that can significantly improve your facial structure and overall health. It promotes proper tongue posture and nasal breathing, leading to numerous health benefits.
Chewing Gum for Jawline
Chewing gum, on the other hand, is a more immediate way to enhance your jawline. It works out the masseter muscles, leading to a more defined and masculine jawline.
In General
Mewing is better in general, you can go without chewing gum, but not without mewing.
Think of mewing as the main dish and chewing as the seasonings. You can mew without chewing, but its worse than without. But chewing without mewing isn’t smart.
Combining Mewing and Chewing Gum
For optimal results, it’s beneficial to incorporate both mewing and chewing gum into your routine. Mewing provides a solid foundation, while chewing gum offers a targeted workout for your jawline.
Mewing with Chewing Gum
While it’s not possible to mew and chew gum simultaneously, the two practices can complement each other.
Mewing should be practiced throughout the day, and when it’s time to chew gum, you can focus on enjoying the process without obsessing over tongue placement.
Chewing Gum for Jaw Strengthening
Chewing hard gum can contribute to jaw strengthening which is important for beginner mewers for mewing endurance and consistency.
However, be careful as overdoing chewing can lead to jaw joint problems.
Best Gum for Jawline Enhancement
Mastic gum, a hard gum, is highly recommended for jawline enhancement. However, if mastic gum isn’t to your liking, you can try big bolus chewing, as suggested by Dr. Mew.
Can You Chew Gum While Mewing?
It’s not possible to chew gum while mewing, this is because your tongue occupies the space that you need to properly chew.
Try dedicating a few minutes to chewing a hard gum, then switch back to mewing.
This way, you can get most the benefits from both exercises.
While your chewing though, make sure that you aren’t mouth breathing and keep your lips sealed.
Is Mewing and Chewing Gum Better?
Mewing and chewing gum is better than just mewing, but not by much. If you’re willing to spend the money for high quality hard chewing gums, it will be helpful.
But mewing by itself is still very effective in growing the habit and for it’s benefits.
Dedicating some time for chewing gum will help aswell.
Should I Buy Expensive Chewing Gums?
If you’re really eager to get defined masseters, it won’t hurt to splurge a little on some high quality gums.
That being said, there are many cheaper alternatives to some of the big brands that sell mastic gum. Such as falim, raw mastic, and other mastic alternatives.
You should make sure that you’re going to stay consistent, because contrary to belief, chewing hard gum isn’t fun.
So if you’re going to spend on high quality gums, make sure that they’re going to use constantly.
If you don’t have a bigger budget, or you have other expenses, don’t buy chewing gum, or consider Falim. Buying expensive chewing gums is more of a luxury than a necessity.
Does Chewing Hard Gums Hurt?
Chewing hard gums can get painful after a long time.
To avoid this, take short breaks to rest your tongue, masseter, and other surrounding muscles.
If either your masseters are heavily sore, or your tongue, it’s time to call it quits.
I’ve gone overboard with chewing sometimes, and ended up with an extremely sore and bruised up tongue.
I was using a hard, brittle type of mastic (the raw kind), the more refined ones are much easier on the tongue while also retaining the hardness but are much more expensive.
At the end of the day, Falim gum is always an option, it’s soft, but a little less hard.
Precautions While Chewing Gum
Though chewing gum can be beneficial, it’s essential to be aware of potential risks. Over-chewing or chewing hard gum like mastic gum can cause jaw joint problems.
So, it’s best to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity.
Tongue Chewing: A Helpful Supplement
Tongue chewing, another practice developed by Dr. Mew, can be an excellent supplement to mewing. It involves using the tongue to manipulate the gum, providing a great workout for the tongue muscles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mewing and chewing gum, when used together, can offer remarkable benefits for your jawline and overall facial aesthetics.
However, they require patience, consistency, and proper technique to be effective.
Always remember that slow and steady wins the race when it comes to improving your facial structure.