Introduction

does mewing work reddit is one of the most searched phrases when people try to separate anecdote from evidence about tongue posture, jawline exercises, and facial change. Reddit threads show dramatic before/after photos, detailed daily routines, and heated debate over what is possible without orthodontics or surgery. This article explains what mewing actually is, what Reddit users report, and what clinical reality and practical training suggest.

What this covers and

why it matters:

you will get a clear definition of mewing, the underlying principles, step-by-step routines for tongue posture and jaw exercises, realistic timelines and expected measurable outcomes, common mistakes to avoid, tools and pricing for therapy or devices, and an FAQ drawn from the most frequent Reddit questions. If you want to know whether to try mewing or invest in professional help, this guide gives specific actions and numbers to decide.

Does Mewing Work Reddit

Reddit threads (for example, r/Mewing and related subreddits) offer thousands of anecdotal posts. Many users ask the same question: does mewing work reddit? The short, evidence-minded answer from community data is: mewing can change soft-tissue appearance and posture for many people, especially with disciplined practice, but large skeletal changes in adults are rare without orthodontic appliances or surgery.

Why Reddit posts look convincing: selective posting and lighting make small changes appear larger. In a typical Reddit sample, users report perceived facial changes after 3 to 12 months; a minority report dramatic bone shifts. Most repeatable improvements are in nasal breathing, lip seal, tongue posture, and tighter soft tissues along the jawline - which can be enhanced further by weight loss, body fat percentage reduction, and muscle training.

Numbers from community trends and surveys:

• Common self-reported timeline for visible soft-tissue change: 3 to 6 months.
• Users who combine mewing with jaw muscle exercises and diet report larger perceived improvement: 6 to 12 months.
• Adolescents (under 18) report the highest likelihood of structural change over 12-24 months because of ongoing growth.

Practical takeaway: treat Reddit reports as hypothesis-generating, not definitive proof. Use the community techniques as a starting point, then apply controlled practice, photos, and professional assessment to measure progress.

Mewing Principles and Evidence

Principles: mewing is a tongue and oral posture technique created by Dr. John Mew and popularized online. Core elements are full-palatal tongue posture, nasal breathing, closed lips, and relaxed but engaged facial muscles.

The goal is to optimize facial muscle balance and, in growing individuals, influence maxillary (upper jaw) development.

How it might work in theory:

• Soft-tissue remodeling: constant upward and forward tongue pressure can tone the muscles of the palate, cheeks, and perioral area.
• Postural chain effects: nasal breathing and proper tongue posture may reduce forward head posture, improving jawline appearance from the side.
• Growth guidance (in youth): in children and teenagers, sustained forces can influence bone remodeling across growth plates, producing measurable skeletal changes.

What the evidence says:

• High-quality clinical trials are sparse. Most published orthodontic evidence deals with prescribed myofunctional therapy (MFT) combined with appliances; those show benefit for airway, tongue-thrust correction, and improved swallowing patterns.
• For adults, randomized data showing skeletal change from mewing alone is lacking. Case series and anecdotal reports dominate the online conversation.
• Myofunctional therapy (MFT), the clinical cousin of mewing, has shown measurable improvements in nasal breathing and sleep apnea parameters when combined with devices and supervision.

Risk and limitations:

• Adults: bone remodeling in adults is limited. Meaningful skeletal repositioning usually requires orthodontic appliances (expanders, braces) or orthognathic (jaw) surgery. Expect primarily soft-tissue and muscular changes.
• Adolescents: interventions are most effective during growth windows. Early action (ages 8-16 depending on sex and maturity) yields better skeletal outcomes.

Actionable evidence-based guidance:

• Combine mewing posture practice with professional MFT if you target functional outcomes (breathing, swallowing).
• Track progress objectively: standardized photos (same lighting, angles), airway sleep questionnaires, or dentist/orthodontist assessments every 3-6 months.

Step-By-Step Mewing and Jawline Routine

Overview: a daily routine should balance tongue posture practice (passive, throughout the day) with active jaw muscle exercises (targeted sets) and lifestyle steps like nasal breathing and body-fat reduction. Below is a practical routine with time, reps, and progression.

Daily posture practice (passive, all day):

• Goal: maintain full-palatal tongue contact with lips closed and teeth lightly touching or slightly apart depending on comfort.
• Start: 5 minutes every hour for the first week, using phone timers or movement apps. Work up to maintaining posture for most waking hours.
• Tip: cue reminders via Apple Reminders, Google Keep, or wearable haptics (Fitbit vibration) to check posture.

Active tongue posture drill (5-10 minutes, once or twice daily):

• Step 1: Press entire tongue against the roof of the mouth, flat from tip to back, without flaring the sides.
• Step 2: Create a gentle suction by lifting the mid-tongue to the palate; hold 10-20 seconds, relax 5 seconds.
• Reps: 6 to 10 repetitions per session.
• Progress: increase hold time to 30 seconds as comfort improves.

Jawline strengthening exercises (10-15 minutes daily):

• Chin tucks: 3 sets of 15 reps (hold each tuck 3 seconds).
• Resistance mouth opening: place a soft resistance (your palm under chin) and open mouth against resistance for 3 sets of 10 reps.
• Jaw jut with hold: push lower jaw forward against slight resistance, hold 5-10 seconds, 3 sets of 8.
• Chewing endurance: sugar-free gum chewing for 15-30 minutes once daily to increase masseter endurance.

Integration with breathing and posture:

• Nasal breathing: aim for 80-90% nasal breathing during wake hours. Use a nasal strip (e.g., Breathe Right, $7 for a 10-pack) for training if your nose is routinely blocked.
• Head and neck posture: perform upper-cervical retraction exercises (chin tuck holds) 2 times daily to reduce forward head posture.

Tracking and progression:

• Take standardized photos every two weeks: front, left profile, right profile, and 45-degree angles.
• Measure neck circumference and body weight monthly; reducing fat around the jawline accelerates visible results.
• Expect soft-tissue tone changes in 8-12 weeks; meaningful contour differences usually take 3-6 months with consistent practice.

Example weekly schedule:

• Daily: tongue posture reminders, nasal breathing focus.
• 5 days/week: Active tongue drills (10 minutes) + jawline exercises (15 minutes).
• 3 days/week: Strength training and calorie-controlled diet to reduce overall body fat (recommended for best jawline visibility).

When to Seek Professional Care and Realistic Timelines

When to consider professional help:

• Functional symptoms: chronic mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea signs, tongue-thrust swallowing, or speech issues. Seek a dentist, ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor), or sleep specialist.
• Structural concerns: significant underbite, overbite, severe crowding, or jaw asymmetry. Consult an orthodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
• No improvement after 6-12 months of disciplined practice and lifestyle changes.

Timelines by age and intervention:

• Soft-tissue and posture changes (adolescents and adults): 2 to 6 months for subtle tone and posture improvements; 6 to 12 months for visible jawline contouring when combined with fat loss and muscle training.
• Skeletal remodeling (growing individuals): 6 months to 2 years depending on age, compliance, and adjunctive orthodontic devices like palatal expanders.
• Orthodontic treatment (braces, clear aligners): 12 to 24 months typical; minor tooth movement can be faster (6-12 months).
• Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery): visible structural change immediate after surgery with 6-12 months of recovery and final settling.

Costs and choices (typical US prices):

• Myofunctional therapy (MFT) with a certified therapist: $60 to $150 per session; expect 6-12 sessions over 3-6 months ($360 to $1,800).
• Clear aligners (Invisalign or similar): $2,000 to $6,000 depending on complexity.
• Removable oral appliances (night retainers, mandibular advancement devices): $200 to $1,200.
• Orthodontics with braces: $3,000 to $8,000.
• Orthognathic surgery: $20,000 to $50,000+ depending on hospital and surgeon fees.

Choosing a provider:

• Myofunctional therapists: look for credentialed therapists through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) or local dental clinics offering MFT.
• Orthodontists: board-certified and offer 3D imaging (CBCT) to evaluate skeletal relationships.
• ENT or sleep specialists: if airway or nasal obstruction is suspected, get objective measures (sleep study or nasal endoscopy).

Practical decision rule:

• If your primary goal is functional (breathing, swallowing), start with a certified myofunctional therapist and ENT evaluation.
• If your primary goal is structural (prominent jawline or skeletal alignment), expect to consult an orthodontist and consider appliance-based or surgical options.

Tools and Resources

Useful tools, apps, devices, and their pricing to support mewing and jawline work.

Tracking and reminder tools:

• Google Keep / Apple Reminders: free, set hourly posture reminders.
• Habit-tracking apps (e.g., HabitBull, Streaks): $2 to $5 one-time or $2-5/month subscriptions.

Nasal breathing aids:

• Breathe Right nasal strips: $7 for a 10-pack at drugstores; short-term training aid.
• Saline spray or neti pot: $5 to $20; helpful if nasal congestion impairs nasal breathing.

Myofunctional therapy and professional help:

• Certified myofunctional therapist sessions: $60 to $150 per session; initial assessment often 45-60 minutes.
• Telehealth MFT options: therapists on platforms like Doxy.me or private clinics may offer $50-100 tele-sessions.

Jaw and masseter trainers:

• Jawzrsize (jaw exerciser): $20 to $50 depending on kit; user-reported benefit varies.
• Chewing gum (sugar-free): 5 to 20 cents per piece; using 15-30 minutes/day increases masticatory endurance.

Orthodontic and surgical options:

• Invisalign/clear aligners: $2,000 to $6,000 through orthodontists; direct-to-consumer options like byte or Candid range $1,500 to $2,500 but vary in oversight.
• Palatal expanders and retainers: $300 to $2,000 depending on appliance and provider.
• Orthognathic surgery: $20,000 to $50,000+.

Online communities and reading:

• Reddit: r/Mewing, r/Orthodontics, r/FacialAesthetics - free, anecdotal content for ideas and before/after threads.
• PubMed and orthodontic textbooks for peer-reviewed evidence on myofunctional therapy and growth guidance.

Photography and measurement:

• Ring light for consistent photos: $20 to $100.
• Smartphone tripod and timer: $15 to $40.
• Tape measure for neck circumference: $5.

How to budget:

• Low-cost start (self-directed): $0 to $50 (apps, gum, nasal strips).
• Mid-tier (professional MFT + tools): $500 to $2,000 over 6 months.
• High-tier (orthodontics or surgery): $3,000 to $50,000+.

Common Mistakes

1. Expecting skeletal change in adults quickly

• Mistake: expecting bone-shape changes in a few months.
• Fix: set realistic goals; focus on soft-tissue tone, posture, and breathing first. Consult an orthodontist for skeletal changes.

2. Incorrect tongue placement

• Mistake: pressing only the tip of the tongue or creating tension in the cheeks.
• Fix: aim for full-palate contact with the mid and back tongue engaged; practice suction holds and slow repetitions with a mirror.

3. Overtraining jaw muscles

• Mistake: excessive chewing or resistance leading to hypertrophy and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain.
• Fix: use moderate volumes (15-30 minutes gum chewing, 3 sets of exercises). Stop if jaw pain develops and see a dentist or TMJ specialist.

4. Neglecting lifestyle factors

• Mistake: ignoring diet, sleep, and overall posture.
• Fix: combine mewing with calorie-controlled diet, strength training, and cervical posture exercises for best visible results.

5. Relying solely on Reddit photos

• Mistake: using selective images as proof and not tracking your own progress systematically.
• Fix: take standardized photos every two weeks, keep notes on routines, and compare objectively.

FAQ

Does Mewing Actually Change Bone Structure?

In children and adolescents undergoing growth, sustained forces can guide bone development over months to years. In adults, significant skeletal change from mewing alone is unlikely; most changes are soft-tissue, muscular, or postural.

How Long Until I See Results From Mewing?

Most people notice small posture and tone changes in 8 to 12 weeks. Visible jawline contour changes usually take 3 to 6 months with consistent practice and supporting lifestyle changes; major changes often take 6-12 months or more.

Can Mewing Reduce a Double Chin?

Mewing alone rarely eliminates a double chin. Combining mewing with fat loss through calorie deficit, neck and jaw exercises, and strength training produces better results. Expect measurable reduction in neck fat with a 5-10% decrease in body weight.

Is Mewing Safe for Everyone?

Basic tongue-posture practice is generally safe, but people with TMJ disorders, severe malocclusion, or chronic pain should consult a dentist or specialist. Stop exercises if you experience jaw pain, headaches, or worsening symptoms.

Should I Combine Mewing with Orthodontics?

Yes, if you seek structural or dental alignment changes, combine mewing and myofunctional therapy with orthodontic appliances. Myofunctional therapy often improves orthodontic outcomes by stabilizing new positions.

Where Can I Find Credible Help?

Look for certified myofunctional therapists (International Association of Orofacial Myology), orthodontists with 3D imaging, and ENT physicians for airway issues. Use professional directories and local dental clinics for referrals.

Next Steps

• Start a 12-week experiment: set hourly posture reminders, perform active tongue drills 10 minutes daily, and do jaw exercises 10-15 minutes daily. Take standardized photos at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12.

• Track metrics: record body weight, neck circumference, and a short diary of nasal breathing and jaw pain weekly to assess soft-tissue change objectively.

• If you have airway or dental concerns, book an initial evaluation: ENT for nasal obstruction ($150-500 consultation) or orthodontist for growth/structure assessment (consultation often $100-300, sometimes free).

• Budget for options: low-cost self-practice ($0-50), professional myofunctional therapy for function ($360-1,800 over 3-6 months), or orthodontic/surgical paths for structural change ($2,000+ to $50,000+).

Further Reading

• Does Mewing Actually Work for Jawline and Face
• Mewing Result Guide for Jawline Improvement
• Mewing Tools Guide for Jawline and Facial Structure
• Mewing Devices Guide for Jawline and Facial Structure