Mewing is a form of oral posture training purported to improve jaw and facial structure. [1] It was named after Mike and John Mew, the controversial British orthodontists who created the technique as a part of a practice called " orthotropics". [2] It involves placing one's tongue at the roof of the mouth and applying pressure, with the aim of changing the structure of the jaws. [3] [4] No credible scientific research has ever proven the efficacy of orthotropics. [2]
Many orthodontists believe that mewing lacks evidence as a viable alternative treatment to orthognathic surgery. [1] [5] Mike Mew was expelled from the British Orthodontic Society, [2] and faces a misconduct hearing for posing harm to child patients who underwent his treatments. [6] [7] While Mike Mew has disparaged traditional orthodontics, [6] his orthotropic treatments for young children cost £12,500 for 36 months, and involve the wearing of headgear, neckgear and expansion appliances in the mouth. [7]
According to maxillofacial surgeon Paul Coceancig, "Mewing and chewing offer no structural change to the jaw, or other health benefits," adding "Will chewing a bone help your dog grow a bigger jaw?". [8]
Since 2019, mewing has received widespread media coverage due to its virality on social media, [9] especially in incel and looksmaxxing subcultures. [2]
Mewing could potentially cause TMJ pain, misalignment of the upper and lower jaw or teeth, and may induce tinnitus. [10] [11] [12]
The technique has been used as an internet meme. [13]
Data from Google Trends indicates an increase in global interest and popularity for "Mewing" starting from January 2019. [1] According to a 2024 article in The Independent, some school teachers say that students gesture to their jawline to indicate that they are mewing and do not wish to answer questions. [14]
Mewing is a form of oral posture training purported to improve jaw and facial structure. [1] It was named after Mike and John Mew, the controversial British orthodontists who created the technique as a part of a practice called " orthotropics". [2] It involves placing one's tongue at the roof of the mouth and applying pressure, with the aim of changing the structure of the jaws. [3] [4] No credible scientific research has ever proven the efficacy of orthotropics. [2]
Many orthodontists believe that mewing lacks evidence as a viable alternative treatment to orthognathic surgery. [1] [5] Mike Mew was expelled from the British Orthodontic Society, [2] and faces a misconduct hearing for posing harm to child patients who underwent his treatments. [6] [7] While Mike Mew has disparaged traditional orthodontics, [6] his orthotropic treatments for young children cost £12,500 for 36 months, and involve the wearing of headgear, neckgear and expansion appliances in the mouth. [7]
According to maxillofacial surgeon Paul Coceancig, "Mewing and chewing offer no structural change to the jaw, or other health benefits," adding "Will chewing a bone help your dog grow a bigger jaw?". [8]
Since 2019, mewing has received widespread media coverage due to its virality on social media, [9] especially in incel and looksmaxxing subcultures. [2]
Mewing could potentially cause TMJ pain, misalignment of the upper and lower jaw or teeth, and may induce tinnitus. [10] [11] [12]
The technique has been used as an internet meme. [13]
Data from Google Trends indicates an increase in global interest and popularity for "Mewing" starting from January 2019. [1] According to a 2024 article in The Independent, some school teachers say that students gesture to their jawline to indicate that they are mewing and do not wish to answer questions. [14]