What is Underbite?
An underbite, also known as Class III malocclusion, occurs when your lower jaw protrudes beyond your upper jaw, causing your lower front teeth to overlap the upper front teeth when your mouth is closed. This jaw misalignment can have various degrees of severity, ranging from mild (almost unnoticeable) to severe (where the chin appears significantly forward).
Key causes of underbites include:
- Genetics: Many people inherit skeletal jaw structures that predispose them to an underbite.
- Childhood habits: Prolonged thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or bottle-feeding beyond recommended ages can affect jaw growth and alignment.
- Mouth breathing: Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial growth, sometimes leading to or exacerbating underbites.
- Jaw bone anomalies: Abnormalities in jaw bone growth, especially if one jaw grows at a faster rate, may result in an underbite.
People with underbites may experience difficulties with chewing, speaking, and sometimes, self-esteem issues stemming from facial appearance. Treating underbites can involve various methods, from orthodontics (e.g., braces, clear aligners) to surgery, depending on the extent of skeletal involvement. Recently, many individuals have become curious about the role of “mewing” in correcting underbites.
What is Mewing?
Mewing is a technique that emphasizes correct tongue posture, nasal breathing, and proper swallowing mechanics. Dr. John Mew, an orthodontist who specialized in “orthotropics,” popularized this concept. While it has existed for decades, mewing gained mainstream visibility through social media platforms and online communities. The core principle involves placing your tongue against the roof of your mouth (the palate) with the tip just behind the front teeth, while maintaining a sealed mouth and breathing through the nose.
Why is Tongue Posture Important?
Your tongue posture can influence the development of your jaw and the overall structure of your face. When the tongue rests on the palate, it may exert gentle, upward pressure that could help shape the dental arch over time. Proper swallowing mechanics and consistent tongue posture are considered essential elements in promoting balanced facial growth, especially during childhood and adolescence. However, many adults also practice mewing in hopes of improving the appearance of their jawline, correcting minor bite issues, and possibly enhancing their facial symmetry.
The Anatomy of an Underbite
To better understand how mewing might (or might not) address an underbite, it’s important to grasp the underlying anatomy.
- Skeletal Underbite: This type of underbite involves a forward-protruding lower jaw (mandible). In such cases, the shape and size of the bones play a primary role. A skeletal underbite often requires more invasive interventions if it is severe, such as orthognathic surgery or advanced orthodontic work.
- Dental Underbite: A dental underbite happens when the teeth are positioned incorrectly within the jaws, but the jaws themselves are not necessarily misaligned on a skeletal level. Orthodontics can frequently correct mild to moderate dental underbites.
- Functional/Postural Underbite: Sometimes, an apparent underbite can be due to postural habits. For instance, if someone is pushing their lower jaw forward when they chew or swallow, it might appear like an underbite even though the skeletal structure could be neutral. Altering tongue posture and improving muscle function around the jaw might alleviate minor forms of functional underbite.
Mewing is most often suggested to help with minor bite discrepancies or to serve as a preventive measure for growing children. Severe skeletal underbites may not see significant change from mewing alone. This distinction is crucial, since many individuals wonder if mewing can definitively fix an underbite without any clinical intervention.
Can Mewing Fix Underbite?
Now, let’s address the central question: Can mewing fix underbite?
What the Research Says
While there is anecdotal evidence and growing interest in mewing, high-quality, peer-reviewed scientific studies on mewing and underbite correction are limited. Most of the insights regarding mewing come from professional orthodontic theory, testimonials, and the concept of orthotropics founded by Dr. John Mew.
Here are key points to consider:
- Minor Adjustments vs. Major Corrections: Mewing may help improve facial posture and potentially contribute to minor tooth alignment improvements, especially for younger individuals whose jaws are still developing. However, a severe skeletal underbite typically involves significant jaw bone discrepancies that may require surgical correction or traditional orthodontic intervention.
- Consistency and Time: Mewing requires consistent practice over long periods. The theory posits that the constant upward pressure of the tongue helps guide the jaw and facial bones into a more balanced position. Though some people notice subtle changes in facial structure or bite alignment, these alterations typically take months to years.
- Lack of Standardized Protocols: There isn’t a universally agreed-upon “mewing routine” set by the medical or dental community. This lack of standardized guidelines can lead to varying results and experiences.
When Mewing Might Help
- Functional or postural underbite: If your underbite is mainly due to how you position your jaw or tongue, mewing might offer mild corrective benefits.
- Mild dental underbite: If your skeletal alignment is generally normal but your teeth are slightly out of alignment, consistent mewing practices combined with orthodontic advice could support better results.
- Growth and development stages: For children and adolescents, proper tongue posture has a more pronounced impact on facial growth, which could help prevent or minimize future underbite issues.
When Mewing Alone May Not Be Enough
- Moderate to severe skeletal underbite: If genetics and bone structure are at the root of your underbite, mewing alone is unlikely to correct it. Orthodontics or orthognathic surgery may be necessary.
- Long-standing jaw issues: If you’ve had an underbite for years and your growth plates have fused, tongue posture alone may only provide limited aesthetic or functional improvements.
Potential Benefits of Mewing for Jaw Alignment
Even if mewing might not fully fix a severe underbite, you could still benefit from practicing proper tongue posture. Some potential benefits include:
- Improved Facial Aesthetics
Mewing emphasizes maintaining the tongue against the palate, which could define your cheekbones and jawline over time. Some individuals report subtle improvements in facial symmetry, with the face appearing more lifted or toned in the mid-face region. - Better Nasal Breathing
Central to mewing is the practice of nasal breathing. Nasal breathing can improve the overall quality of your air intake, filter out allergens, and regulate humidity in the air before it reaches your lungs. - Enhanced Swallowing Mechanics
Many people have a tongue-thrust swallow, where the tongue pushes forward against the teeth during swallowing. Mewing encourages a proper swallow, which could reduce the risk of pushing your teeth out of alignment over time. - Potential Prevention of Further Misalignment
By aligning the tongue correctly, you may reduce the risk of developing more pronounced bite issues. If you have a mild underbite or a tendency toward it, proper tongue posture might prevent the problem from worsening. - Posture and Overall Health
Some mewing advocates link tongue posture to improved neck and head posture. When your head is tilted forward and your mouth is open, it can strain neck muscles. Correct tongue posture encourages you to keep your head upright and your lips sealed, which might improve your posture and reduce tension in the jaw and neck area.
How to Practice Mewing Correctly
If you decide to try mewing to see if it can help with your underbite or general facial structure, follow these core steps:
- Position Your Tongue
- Place the tip of your tongue right behind your upper front teeth, but not touching them.
- Flatten the rest of your tongue so that it spreads over the roof of your mouth. You might feel a natural suction effect if you do this correctly.
- Close Your Mouth
- Seal your lips gently without clenching your jaw or letting your lower jaw drift forward.
- Keep your teeth in light contact or slightly apart based on comfort. Do not force the bite closed.
- Breathe Through Your Nose
- One of the key tenets of mewing is nasal breathing. If you have nasal congestion or other issues that prevent consistent nasal breathing, consult a healthcare professional.
- Practice diaphragmatic breathing (breathing from your abdomen) for better oxygen intake.
- Maintain Good Posture
- Keep your head level and your chin parallel to the ground. You don’t want to tilt your head too far back or hunch forward.
- Picture a string pulling you gently upward from the top of your head.
- Swallow Properly
- When swallowing, ensure your tongue pushes upward against the palate instead of forward against your front teeth.
- Use the roof of your mouth for leverage, not your teeth.
- Be Consistent
- Practice mewing throughout the day. Check your tongue posture whenever you notice your mouth hanging open or your tongue resting on the bottom of your mouth.
- Over time, proper tongue posture should become a habit if you remain mindful.
Mewing isn’t a quick fix, and it typically takes patience. Some advocates suggest it can take several months to notice subtle changes, and even then, the changes might be minimal for adults, especially if significant skeletal misalignment is involved.
Mewing Success Stories and Limitations
Success Stories
It’s not uncommon to find anecdotes online of individuals claiming drastic improvements in their facial appearance or mild underbite resolution. They often post before-and-after pictures that show changes in jawline definition or the relationship between the upper and lower jaw.
- Minor Underbites: Some mewers report that the functional component of their underbite improved, reducing the forward protrusion of the lower jaw.
- Improved Facial Harmony: Others find that mewing helps them maintain a more attractive facial posture, which can create the appearance of a more balanced profile.
Limitations and Considerations
- Lack of Clinical Validation: While user testimonials can be inspiring, remember that personal experiences vary widely, and many factors (like age, genetics, or concurrent orthodontic treatments) can also influence results.
- Time and Effort: Mewing requires ongoing effort. If you’re inconsistent or give up after a few weeks, you’re unlikely to see any noticeable benefit.
- Safety Concerns: Incorrect techniques can lead to tension in your jaw or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) discomfort. If you experience pain, it’s wise to consult a dental professional.
- Skeptical Viewpoints: Some orthodontists and dental professionals remain skeptical about the efficacy of mewing, particularly for severe skeletal conditions. They often emphasize that more rigorous research and clinical trials are needed.
Other Treatment Options for Underbite
If you have an underbite, you might explore multiple treatment paths. Here are some alternative or complementary approaches:
- Orthodontic Braces or Clear Aligners
- For mild to moderate underbites, braces or clear aligners can move your teeth into a more favorable position. This approach is especially effective if the issue is primarily dental rather than skeletal.
- Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)
- Severe skeletal underbites may necessitate jaw surgery to reposition either the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. Surgeons often collaborate with orthodontists to ensure the teeth and jaws fit together optimally after the procedure.
- Surgery is typically considered a last resort when other methods fail or if the severity of the underbite impacts the individual’s quality of life.
- Functional Appliances
- Some orthodontists use functional appliances (like chin cups or face masks) in growing children to guide jaw development and minimize underbite progression.
- These devices are most effective during the growth phase, which is why early intervention is crucial.
- Tooth Extraction or Reshaping
- In select cases, removing certain teeth or reshaping them may alleviate crowding or misalignment, indirectly improving the underbite.
- Your orthodontist will determine if extraction is necessary after thorough evaluation.
- Physical Therapy and Myofunctional Therapy
- Myofunctional therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around the mouth and face, including the tongue. It can complement orthodontic treatment and might support improved swallowing patterns and tongue posture.
- Physical therapy can help correct overall posture and may indirectly improve jaw alignment by reducing muscular tension.
Combining Mewing with Professional Treatments
If you want to explore mewing while undergoing traditional orthodontic treatments, discuss your plans with your orthodontist or dentist. They can guide you on the proper technique, monitor your progress, and ensure that mewing does not interfere with other interventions. In some scenarios, tongue posture training can complement braces or clear aligners, potentially enhancing overall results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is mewing scientifically proven to fix an underbite?
Clinical research on mewing is still sparse. While some orthodontic principles support the importance of correct tongue posture, there is limited peer-reviewed evidence showing that mewing alone can correct a severe underbite. - How long does it take to see results from mewing?
Most practitioners suggest that minor facial or dental changes could take several months to years. Consistency is key, and results can vary depending on individual factors such as age, bone structure, and the severity of the malocclusion. - Can mewing worsen my underbite if done incorrectly?
Improper mewing techniques could cause jaw tension, TMJ discomfort, or an imbalanced bite. If you notice pain or increased misalignment, stop or reduce your mewing practice and consult a professional. - Should children practice mewing to prevent underbites?
Some orthodontists encourage good tongue posture and nasal breathing for children as a preventive measure. However, you should always consult a pediatric dentist or orthodontist to ensure that the child’s dental development is monitored properly. - Can adults benefit from mewing, or is it only for children?
Adults can still practice mewing for potential jaw posture improvements, though the results may be more subtle. Children and adolescents typically have more malleable jaw growth, so the potential impact can be more noticeable during their growth years. - Does mewing replace the need for surgery or orthodontics?
In severe underbite cases, no. Mewing can be a supportive technique, but it is unlikely to replace the need for professional interventions if you have a significant skeletal underbite. - Will I have to mew indefinitely?
Once you establish proper tongue posture, it becomes more of a habit than a conscious effort. Maintaining good tongue posture can be beneficial for overall dental and facial health, so you may want to keep it as part of your daily routine.
Conclusion
Can mewing fix underbite? It depends on the severity and the underlying cause of your underbite. Mewing, or proper tongue posture, could provide mild improvements in cases where the underbite is functional or minimally dental. This practice may also serve as a supportive measure for children and teens, potentially preventing worsening misalignment. However, if your underbite is moderate to severe and rooted in skeletal discrepancies, mewing alone is unlikely to provide a complete fix. In such cases, orthodontics, functional appliances, or even jaw surgery might be necessary.
Regardless of whether you opt to try mewing, it’s crucial to consult professionals—dentists, orthodontists, or maxillofacial surgeons—who can assess your jaw structure and develop a tailored treatment plan. Remember that a comprehensive approach—encompassing proper oral posture, breathing techniques, orthodontic solutions, or surgery—tends to deliver the best long-term results.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or dental advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about treatments, especially for conditions like underbite or other malocclusions. Individual results from mewing can vary, and any concerns regarding jaw pain, tooth alignment, or overall oral health should be addressed directly with a licensed dental or medical provider.
