Does mewing work? What the evidence says

Page updated October 22, 2026.

Mewing is a social media trend of pressing your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth to try to sharpen your jawline or straighten your teeth. There's no research showing it works (AAO), and the American Association of Orthodontists warns that it can move teeth, cause bite problems and jaw pain (AAO). Here is where mewing came from, what the evidence says, the risks, and what actually changes a jaw or bite.

What mewing is

Mewing is the movement of flattening the tongue against the roof of the mouth in an attempt to define the jawline (AAO). As usually described, the tongue rests against the palate just behind the front teeth, lips closed and teeth lightly together, held for about 20 seconds and repeated several times a day (Cleveland Clinic). People who promote it claim it can sculpt the jaw, realign teeth and improve facial looks (AAO). Today most people do it for cosmetic reasons (Cleveland Clinic).

Where mewing came from

The technique is named after John Mew, an orthodontist who reportedly developed it in the 1970s for his children and patients (Cleveland Clinic). He believed it could correct problems with the teeth, jaw, sinuses and face, and help with speech, sleep apnea and breathing (Cleveland Clinic). Cleveland Clinic reports that he lost his dental license because of unorthodox practices such as mewing (Cleveland Clinic); the AAO describes him as a controversial orthodontist who lost his license over unsupported claims (AAO). The idea spread years later through social media videos.

Does mewing work?

No good evidence says it does. The AAO puts it bluntly: there is no current research suggesting the technique benefits the jawline or oral health (AAO). A Cleveland Clinic physician says research doesn't support mewing for any of the claims made, and that it isn't strong or specific enough to significantly change dental or facial features (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO's January 2024 warning cites a 2019 article in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that examined mewing as "social media's alternative to orthognathic surgery" (AAO).

Risks of mewing

Teeth move under steady pressure; that's how braces work. The same principle is why the AAO says uncontrolled tongue pressure can do harm (AAO):

• Tooth movement: excessive pressure can disrupt the alignment of teeth, causing crooked teeth or gaps
• Bite problems: a malocclusion such as an underbite, overbite or open bite
• Jaw pain: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain (see TMJ and braces)
• Speech difficulties
• Harder treatment later: fixing problems caused by mewing can prolong orthodontic treatment

Cleveland Clinic adds that mewing may worsen jaw tension and TMJ disorders, and that it can change the position of teeth, especially in children and teenagers (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO's 2024 warning lists loosened teeth, a misaligned bite, tooth wear and slurred speech, and says these may need complicated treatment to resolve (AAO).

Tongue posture vs mewing

Tongue position does matter in some cases, which is part of why mewing sounds plausible. Tongue thrust, a habit of pushing the tongue forward against the teeth, can cause an open bite (Cleveland Clinic). The difference is supervision and diagnosis: for tongue thrust, a speech-language pathologist teaches specific exercises called myofunctional therapy, and orthodontists may use an appliance such as a tongue crib (Cleveland Clinic). That's a treatment for a diagnosed problem, not a way to reshape a healthy face. The AAO doesn't recommend any attempt to move teeth or align jaws without appropriate supervision (AAO).

What actually changes your jaw or bite

An orthodontist can also assess your tongue posture and explain how a change in one part of the mouth affects the rest (AAO). Many offer a free first consultation (AAO); see free orthodontic consultations.

Mewing and teenagers

Cleveland Clinic says mewing can change tooth position especially in children and teens (Cleveland Clinic). If your teen is unhappy with their jaw or teeth, the AAO's advice is to see an orthodontist rather than rely on online trends (AAO). The AAO recommends children have an orthodontic check by age 7 (AAO), and jaw growth problems are easier to guide while a child is still growing (AAO). See braces for kids and teens.