It’s been a while since I delved into a truly debated topic in orthodontics. Today, let’s explore “Mewing,” a concept that has recently captured significant attention in the media, even sparking a documentary on Netflix in the USA. My own 11-year-old granddaughter introduced me to Mewing, impressed that I was already familiar with it – giving me some unexpected “street cred”! This surge in interest prompts a closer examination of what Mewing is all about, especially as some refer to it as the “Mewing Song” of facial transformation online.
Decoding the Mewing Phenomenon
Mewing originates from the orthotropic theories of John Mew. For those familiar, orthotropics is an orthodontic approach focused on enhancing orofacial function. Practitioners use removable appliances and myofunctional exercises aiming to correct malocclusion. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that robust scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of orthotropics remains limited.
John Mew and his son, Mike Mew, have skillfully utilized YouTube to promote “Mewing,” a series of exercises. Their Orthotropics YouTube channel boasts millions of views, propelling Mewing into the mainstream. The Netflix documentary further amplified its reach, and Mewing has become a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok. This widespread interest warrants a deeper look into the reasons behind its popularity and whether there’s any substance to the claims, or if it’s just a catchy “mewing song” the internet is humming.
Inside the Orthotropics YouTube Channel
The Orthotropics YouTube channel is a treasure trove of professionally produced videos, with Mewing taking center stage. Many videos have garnered millions of views, with “Dr. Mike Mew’s Ultimate Mewing Guide” leading the pack with over 7.8 million views. These videos are arguably the most viewed orthodontic content globally. I personally watched “Dr. Mike Mew’s Ultimate Mewing Guide” to understand the core message.
Space is limited, but here are the key takeaways from the video:
Firstly, the video is well-crafted and easy to understand. Mike Mew begins by outlining the purported benefits of Mewing, stating:
- Mewing is a postural technique involving correct tongue placement on the roof of the mouth to improve health and facial aesthetics.
- It aims to naturally align teeth, enhance cheekbones, define the jawline, and even straighten the nose.
- Mewing may reduce wrinkles and improve breathing by advancing the maxilla, potentially extending lifespan by optimizing airways.
- These changes are presented as achievable naturally through consistent practice.
Mike Mew explains that applying consistent tongue pressure to the palate can stimulate facial bone growth, similar to how palatal expanders work. This is a core concept in Mewing, distinguishing it slightly from orthotropics by suggesting appliances are not essential.
The video promotes Orthotropics as a less invasive alternative to traditional orthodontics for treating malocclusion. It emphasizes addressing environmental factors contributing to malocclusion and claims to avoid potential risks linked to conventional orthodontic treatments like facial retraction, sleep apnea, and relapse. It also points out the limitations of orthognathic surgery and cosmetic surgery, positioning Mewing exercises as a possible solution. The video has generated over 7,700 comments, predominantly positive and supportive of Mewing and the Orthotropics philosophy, echoing the positive sentiment online and the catchy “mewing song” of transformation.
Exploring the Mewing Exercises
The video highlights various orofacial muscle exercises, too numerous to detail here. In essence, these exercises are designed to encourage nasal breathing and enhance body and neck posture.
Dr. Mew recommends maintaining correct tongue posture on the roof of the mouth for 8 hours daily, offering practical tips to achieve this. He also promotes the “Mewing” app, a comprehensive platform guiding users through each step of Mewing. He expresses interest in connecting with users through the app.
Searching the Mac App Store, I found several Mewing apps, most requiring subscriptions, which I didn’t explore further.
My Professional Perspective
The significant interest in orthotropics and Mewing is undeniably intriguing. Is it gaining more traction than traditional orthodontics? It’s tempting to dismiss it as a fleeting internet fad. However, its widespread popularity is surprising.
My review of published research on Mewing yielded no results. Furthermore, mainstream scientific evidence supporting facial bone growth in adults through tongue posture, as proposed by Mewing, is absent. Applying established principles of craniofacial growth, it’s challenging to comprehend how tongue posture alone can alter facial bone positions in adults. Skeletal changes of this nature are highly improbable.
My primary concern is potential harm. Performing the exercises themselves is unlikely to be harmful. However, the cost associated with instructional videos and subscription-based apps raises questions, especially for a self-care “treatment” lacking scientific validation. Is it ethical to charge for the “mewing song” if the tune hasn’t been proven to work?
My current stance is to observe this trend with continued interest. Mewing might indeed “take off” and become a recognized approach, or it may simply fade into internet obscurity, a short-lived social media craze. Time will tell whether the “mewing song” becomes a lasting melody or just a fleeting tune.
Kevin O’Brien
Emeritus Professor of Orthodontics, University of Manchester, UK.
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