The latest TikTok trend promises a sculpted jawline through simple tongue exercises.
However, as board-certified orthodontists with years of experience treating facial development issues, we need to share the science behind why “mewing” doesn’t deliver results—and how it might actually damage your smile.
Social media influencers showcase dramatic transformations, claiming months of tongue exercises reshaped their faces. These posts rack up millions of views from people desperate for a free, at-home solution to jawline concerns.
Unfortunately, the reality behind facial development is far more complex than a simple tongue position.
What Is Mewing and Does It Work?
Mewing involves pressing your tongue flat against your mouth’s roof, supposedly reshaping your jawline over time.
This technique, named after Dr. Mike Mew (a controversial figure in orthodontics), has exploded across social media platforms, with influencers sharing dramatic before-and-after photos.
The technique requires practitioners to maintain constant tongue pressure against the hard palate throughout the day.
Proponents claim this sustained pressure will gradually expand the upper jaw, improve facial aesthetics, and even straighten teeth naturally.
The appeal is obvious: who wouldn’t want a free, easy way to improve their facial structure?
Social media algorithms amplify these posts because they generate high engagement, creating an echo chamber where unsubstantiated claims appear credible.
Unfortunately, the reality is far more complex.
The Promise vs. Reality
Mewing proponents claim this simple exercise can:
- Reshape your jawline naturally within months
- Align crooked teeth without professional intervention
- Replace traditional orthodontic treatment entirely
- Improve breathing and sleep quality
- Create more defined cheekbones and facial symmetry
Yet none of these claims have scientific backing. The American Association of Orthodontists has extensively reviewed available literature and found zero peer-reviewed studies supporting mewing’s effectiveness for any of these purported benefits.
Why Mewing Doesn’t Work: The Science Behind Facial Development
Why doesn’t mewing work scientifically?
Your facial structure develops through a complex interplay of genetics, bone growth patterns, and muscle interactions that occur primarily during childhood and adolescence.
Simply changing tongue posture cannot override these fundamental biological processes that have already been largely completed in most adults.
Facial bones stop growing in predictable patterns once skeletal maturity is reached, typically by the late teens to early twenties. After this point, only significant medical interventions can create meaningful structural changes.
How Real Orthodontic Treatment Works
Professional orthodontic appliances like braces and aligners succeed because they:
- Apply controlled, measured forces over extended periods (typically 12-24 months)
- Stimulate bone remodeling through consistent, calibrated pressure
- Target specific teeth with precision based on individual anatomy
- Are monitored and adjusted by trained professionals throughout treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists confirms that no scientific research supports mewing’s effectiveness.
Tongue posture alone cannot create the bone remodeling necessary for meaningful facial changes.
Even in growing children, where bones are more malleable, orthodontic appliances are required to guide development effectively.
The Role of Proper Tongue Posture
While correct tongue posture does play a role in normal facial development during childhood, it’s just one small factor among many. Good tongue posture supports:
- Normal swallowing patterns
- Proper breathing habits
- Healthy oral function
However, these benefits occur naturally in most people and don’t require conscious “mewing” exercises. Attempting to force abnormal tongue positions can actually disrupt these natural functions.
What Are the Risks of Mewing?
Serious Risks of DIY Jaw Exercises
While mewing might seem harmless, it can actually create significant problems that require professional treatment to correct:
Dental Alignment Issues
Your tongue is incredibly strong, capable of exerting substantial pressure. Uneven or excessive pressure against your palate can:
- Push some teeth forward while pulling others back
- Create new gaps between previously aligned teeth
- Worsen existing alignment problems
- Cause tooth roots to move in unpredictable directions
- Lead to tooth mobility and potential loss in severe cases
Bite Problems
Improper tongue pressure may cause serious functional issues:
- Underbites or open bites that affect chewing efficiency
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders causing chronic pain
- Jaw clicking, popping, or locking episodes
- Headaches and facial muscle tension
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully
Speech Difficulties
Altered tongue positioning can interfere with normal speech patterns, particularly affecting ‘s’ and ‘th’ sounds. Some patients develop lisps or other articulation problems that require speech therapy to correct.
Digestive Issues
Disrupted swallowing patterns can lead to digestive problems, as improper tongue function affects the initial stages of the digestive process.
Why Professional Assessment Matters Most
Before attempting any orthodontic intervention, consult a qualified orthodontist. We evaluate:
- Current jaw growth patterns and skeletal maturity
- Facial symmetry and proportional relationships
- Dental alignment and bite function analysis
- Potential speech or airway concerns
- Individual risk factors and treatment goals
Professional treatment plans consider your unique anatomy and use evidence-based protocols monitored throughout the process.
We also coordinate with other specialists when necessary, including oral surgeons, speech therapists, and sleep medicine doctors.
The Importance of Individualized Care
Every patient’s facial structure, dental alignment, and treatment needs are unique. What works for one person may be inappropriate or even harmful for another.
Professional orthodontists spend years learning to recognize these individual differences and develop customized treatment approaches.
Evidence-Based Alternatives That Actually Work
Instead of unproven tongue exercises, focus on habits that genuinely support oral health:
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamins
- Eliminate harmful habits like thumb sucking, nail biting, or pen chewing
- Schedule early orthodontic screenings (around age 7 for children)
- Address breathing problems or sleep disorders that affect oral development
For teens and adults seeking jawline improvement, modern options include clear aligners, traditional braces, and surgical orthodontics—all designed with your specific needs in mind and backed by decades of research.
The Bottom Line on Mewing
While mewing promises a quick, free facial transformation, it lacks scientific evidence and poses real risks to your oral health. The viral nature of social media content doesn’t make it medically sound.
Improper tongue pressure can create bite problems, speech issues, and make future orthodontic treatment more complex and expensive.
The disappointment many people experience after months of unsuccessful mewing often leads them to seek professional help anyway—but now with additional problems to address.
If you’re curious about improving your jawline or correcting dental alignment, schedule a consultation with a board-certified orthodontist.
A customized treatment plan will deliver real, lasting results while protecting your smile’s health and function. Your face deserves evidence-based care, not internet trends.
Professional Tip: If you’re concerned about facial aesthetics, remember that a healthy, properly aligned smile is the foundation of facial beauty. Focus on treatments that improve both function and form for results that last a lifetime.
Ready to Start Your Orthodontic Journey?
If you’re searching for an “orthodontist near me” in the Harrisburg area, Valley Advanced Orthodontics offers comprehensive orthodontic care with convenient locations throughout South Central Pennsylvania.
Whether you have questions about mewing or facial aesthetics, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your FREE* 60-minute consultation and take the first step toward your new smile!
Schedule Your FREE* 60-Minute Consultation ($138 Value) Today!
We’re so confident in the value of our Braces and Invisalign treatments that we’re offering a FREE* 60-minute consultation ( $138 value) to help you get started on your journey to a perfect smile.
During this comprehensive session, you’ll receive:
- A thorough examination by a board-certified orthodontist
- Digital scans of your teeth
- A personalized treatment plan
- A detailed cost breakdown
- Answers to all your questions about Braces or Invisalign
This offer is exclusive to new patients and is available for a limited-time only!
Ready to take the first step towards your dream smile with Traditional Braces or Invisalign?
Contact Valley Advanced Orthodontics today to schedule your FREE* 60-minute consultation ($138 value).
Call us now at 717-963-3003 or fill out our online form to request your free consultation today!
Your new smile is just a click or call away!
*Disclaimer: A panoramic X-ray may be recommended during your consultation; if you choose not to proceed with treatment, you may be responsible for any portion of the X-ray cost not covered by your insurance.