Interoral face pulling is a technique that is similar to mewing in that it is an orthotropic technique that promises the same benefits as mewing.
This technique is used to widen the palate, improve breathing, fix recessed facial features such as a maxilla and chin, and enhance forward growth.
What is Face pulling?
Face pulling, also known as intraoral face pulling or thumb pulling, is an orthotropic technique where you put your thumbs behind your upper gums and pull them outwards, upwards, and forward. The point of applying these specific forces is to mimic orthodontic and dental devices. By doing this, you can receive a more pronounced jawline, cheekbones, and hollow cheeks.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that, like many orthotropic techniques, face-pulling will only enhance your current facial structure. It cannot give you certain facial features unless your genetic facial structure was already capable of appearing that way.
Face pulling is also attributed to palatal expansion by pushing your upper gums outwards. This not only has appearance-based benefits but also affects chewing, breathing, and more.
How to face pull: To face pull, you must put your thumbs behind your gums at a 45-degree angle. More specifically, hinge your thumbs at the part where your gums start to curve.
Then push outwards, upwards, and forwards with a medium or strong force for however long you can. If you feel any pain while doing this, then it’s recommended you stop and adapt your technique to your mouth shape. However, it is normal to feel pressure throughout your skull; if the pressure is too much, then lighten the force.
How should you practice face pulling?
When trying to face pull, you should put your thumbs on the side of your palate (inner mouth). Do not touch the teeth, or it will lead to dental malformities. Then, pull outwards with both your thumbs as if you’re trying to pull both sides farther apart.
There are many video guides on how to perform this technique, along with forums that may be beneficial in understanding face-pulling
What are the advantages of face-pulling?
There are many advantages to face pulling:
- More tongue space: When face pulling, you’re applying forces on opposite ends of the palate or pushing them outwards. This causes your palate to shift, leading to a broader palate and more tongue space. This is very beneficial not only for mewing but your general health.
- More pleasing appearance: Facepulling causes forward growth, along with widening of the palate. Both these features are directly correlated to a person’s attractiveness.
- Faster progress: Many people may feel encouraged by the need for more progress from lighter exercises such as mewing. Face pulling can be a great way to see progress for people who may not be benefiting from mewing. This applies to adults whose bones are much harder, and a very subtle force like mewing may not cause any changes.
Teenagers and adults can benefit from face-pulling.
Children and teenagers undergo remodeling of their bones during growth. This means bones of teenagers are much more malleable, so the results are easier to achieve.
Adults have more difficulty reshaping their maxilla than teens because they are no longer growing, and the bones have become much more solid.
However, studies have shown that bones can still alter naturally throughout adulthood, even though it takes time.
Are mewing and facepulling related?
They both strive for the same goal: a more attractive face, wider palates, and better breathing.
However, mewing utilizes the force of the tongue, while face pulling uses the thumb and arm to apply force. The effects that mewing has are small and gradual. However, interoral face pulling requires you to pull firmly and temporarily. While interoral face pulling is highly beneficial, it is meant to be done alongside mewing.
Facepulling is a technique that is only done for a few sessions throughout the day, while mewing must be done throughout the entire day. It may be beneficial to dedicate some time to face-pulling and return to mewing.
It’s important to note that while face pulling and mewing are both very similar techniques, mewing is still far more well-known and trusted. It’s important to be more cautious with face pulling as there are not many evidential accounts of face pulling’s effectiveness.
Benefits of Face Pulling
One of the most significant benefits of face pulling is that it is non-invasive, meaning that there are no surgical procedures involved. This makes it a much safer and less expensive option compared to corrective surgeries.
Additionally, face pulling is a relatively quick procedure that can be done in a matter of minutes, allowing for fast and effective results. Finally, face pulling can be used to correct a wide range of condition, making it a versatile treatment option.
Risks Associated with Face Pulling
It’s important to be very cautious when face-pulling. There are very few sources documenting the potential benefits of face-pulling. However, face pulling is recommended by many in the orthotropic community and has close ties with mewing.
When done incorrectly, face pulling can lead to irregular growth and symmetry; this happens when you apply more force on one side of your face. Face pulling can also cause a tooth gap caused by palatal expansion; however, palatal expansion is also the primary goal of many orthotropic techniques.
A tooth gap is a good indicator that positive palatal changes are occurring, and it is recommended to use dental devices like Invisalign or braces to fix the gap.
The most frequently reported side effects are discomfort and pain, as the procedure requires pressing against the tongue for a long time. The amount of pressure applied can vary from mild to severe, depending on how much pressure is applied.
People have reported experiencing uncommon side effects. Some have heard a popping sound and believe these are sutures (particularly the median and transverse palatine sutures) breaking apart.
Does Face Pulling Help Correct a Flat Maxilla Or Chin?
Face pulling is primarily used to correct flat maxilla and recessed chin. This condition occurs when the upper jaw does not grow forward as much as it should, resulting in a flat or recessed appearance, and/or the chin is set far back, leading to certain malocclusions and, most commonly, overbites. As stated above, face pulling applies the same forces as orthodontic and dental devices used to correct malocclusions.
These forces cause the entire face to become less elongated, which increases forward growth and reduces the severity of a recessed maxilla and chin.
By consistently face pulling correctly, you can reduce these common issues attributed to mouth breathing, along with promoting correct facial growth and posture!
Face pulling can be done with no equipment or surgery.
Without any machinery/appliances or surgery, there is evidence that maxillary movement is possible.
Children, still in their growth phase, can adjust to various bone movements, so it might be easier to achieve this in children than in adults.
When a human skeleton is subjected to excessive load or pressure from beneath, the bones will remodel themselves over time to become stronger in order to resist that pressure.
Experiments were taken on a selective group of adult monkeys, and subtle forces were pushed onto the palate. After a few months, these monkeys showed a significant maxillary change. By the same logic, adults can still alter their facial structure using mewing and face pulling.
Conclusion
Although many claims that this technique has positive results, there have been reports of side effects.
There is still no clinical evidence to support that face pulling can facilitate changes in bone structure.
Like many DIY exercises, face pulling may be something you want to try out for yourself.