Tongue posture technique of resting the tongue against the roof of the mouth to potentially improve facial structure, jawline definition, and breathing
Mewing is the practice of maintaining proper tongue posture - resting the entire tongue against the palate with lips closed and teeth lightly together. Named after Dr. John Mew and popularized by his son Dr. Mike Mew, it's become a viral phenomenon with claims of dramatic facial restructuring.
What the evidence shows:
- Tongue posture does influence craniofacial development in children
- Mouth breathing is associated with altered facial development
- Adult bone remodeling is limited compared to children
- No RCTs exist on "mewing" specifically
- Dramatic adult transformations are likely exaggerated or due to other factors
The realistic take:
- Proper tongue posture is genuinely good for breathing and oral health
- Children may see more significant facial development effects
- Adults may see modest improvements, mainly soft tissue
- Dramatic jawline changes in adults are unlikely from mewing alone
- Before/after photos online are often misleading (lighting, angles, weight loss, puberty)
C-level evidence. Mewing probably won't transform your face as an adult, but proper tongue posture is associated with better breathing, reduced snoring, and dental health. It's free and low-risk, so worth practicing for general health benefits rather than aesthetic transformation.
Science & Mechanisms
The Orthotropics Theory:
Dr. John Mew developed "orthotropics," proposing that facial structure is largely determined by oral posture during development, not just genetics.
Core Principles:
| Factor | Impact on Face |
|---|---|
| Tongue posture | Palate width, midface development |
| Lip seal | Jaw position, facial length |
| Breathing mode | Vertical vs horizontal growth |
| Chewing forces | Jaw strength, width |
Proper Tongue Posture:
- Entire tongue resting on palate (not just tip)
- Back third of tongue engaged
- Creates upward and forward pressure
- Promotes horizontal facial growth
Mouth Breathing Effects:
- Tongue drops to floor of mouth
- Face grows longer and narrower
- "Long face syndrome" or "adenoid facies"
- Recessed chin and jaw
- Narrower palate
Why It Matters:
- Tongue applies ~500g of force to palate
- Over time, this shapes bone (Wolff's Law)
- Children's bones are more malleable
- Adult bones can still remodel, but slowly
Wolff's Law:
Bone adapts to the loads placed upon it. The tongue's constant pressure theoretically shapes the maxilla and influences overall facial development.
The Adult Question:
- Sutures fuse around age 25
- Adult bone remodeling is slower
- Soft tissue changes are possible
- Dramatic skeletal changes less likely
Airway Connection:
- Proper tongue posture supports nasal breathing
- May reduce sleep apnea risk
- Related to Nasal Breathing and Mouth Taping
Episodes
Unlocking Jaw Health joins Ben Greenfield Life to discuss mewing, bioesthetic dentistry, and tongue posture for total wellness life network: raw podcast #6. Key topics include m...
Dave Asprey interviews Brandon Harris, creator of Jawzrsize, a jaw exercise device born from Harris's personal experience recovering from a jaw injury that left him wired shut f...
Host Mike Peska brings on science writer Sadie Dingfelder for a segment of "Is That Bullshit?" dedicated to mewing, the tongue posture technique popularized by disgraced British...
The AsapSCIENCE hosts break down the science and culture of mewing, the tongue posture technique created by Dr. John Mew in the 1970s and popularized on social media by his son ...
Dr. Sydney McElroy and husband Justin deliver a thorough deep dive into the history and science of mewing on their medical misinformation podcast. The episode traces the origins...
Derek from More Plates More Dates shares his personal interest in mewing after learning about Mike Mew's work, primarily motivated by his severe obstructive sleep apnea rather t...