Ways to Improve Jawline Naturally and with Mewing

in HealthBeautyFitness · 11 min read

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Photo by Joyce Hankins on Unsplash

Practical, evidence minded strategies including mewing, exercises, timelines, tools, costs, and common mistakes.

Introduction

The phrase ways to improve jawline is often searched by people wanting a stronger, more defined lower face without relying only on surgery. Small changes in posture, tongue posture, chewing habits, soft tissue tone, and fat levels can alter jawline appearance over weeks and months. This guide explains which techniques are practical, which are high cost, and how to combine mewing, jaw exercises, posture work, and professional options into a realistic plan.

You will get clear definitions, step by step mewing instructions, daily and weekly jawline training routines with sets and reps, a 12 week timeline, product and service pricing, comparisons of non surgical versus surgical options, and a checklist to track progress. The goal is to give actionable, low-risk methods you can begin now and a decision framework for when to escalate to fillers, orthodontics, or surgery.

What shapes the jawline

What

The visible jawline is a composite of bone structure, fat distribution, muscle tone, skin quality, and posture. Bone sets the basic framework, while soft tissues and posture determine how sharp or soft that framework appears.

Why

Understanding the components shows what you can realistically change:

  • Bone: easy to change only with surgery or orthodontic growth guidance in younger people.
  • Fat: can be reduced with diet, exercise, or targeted treatments.
  • Muscle: mass and tone of masseter and platysma influence contour.
  • Tongue posture: chronic low tongue posture can allow the upper palate and maxilla to sit differently, subtly altering lower face tension and width over many months.
  • Skin: elasticity declines with age; treatments or weight changes affect sagging.

How

Target each component with appropriate methods:

  • Fat: Calorie deficit of 300 to 500 kcal/day typically yields 0.5 to 1.0 lb (0.2 to 0.45 kg) per week; local facial fat reduction via injection or liposuction is an option but not always predictable.
  • Muscle: Resistance exercises for jaw muscles, 3 to 5 times per week, 3 sets per exercise.
  • Tongue posture: daily mewing practice, cumulative 30 to 60 minutes of focused posture plus unconscious retention.
  • Skin: topical retinoids, SPF, and procedures like radiofrequency or thread lifts for moderate sagging.

When to Use

  • Start with non invasive: posture, mewing, diet, and jaw exercises immediately.
  • Consider minimally invasive: dermal fillers, Botox, and fat dissolving injections after 3 months of consistent non-surgical work if expectations not met.
  • Consider surgery: when structural bone discrepancies or severe laxity exist or when aesthetic goals require permanent change. Typical candidate assessments require consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or plastic surgeon.

Example

A 28 year old with soft jawline and 12 lb (5.4 kg) excess weight: expect 6 to 12 weeks to see reduction in facial fat with a 300 to 500 kcal daily deficit, and 8 to 12 weeks for muscle tone improvements with consistent exercises.

Why mewing matters for jawline and facial structure

What

Mewing refers to intentional tongue posture where the entire tongue contacts the palate (roof of mouth), teeth lightly together or slightly apart depending on dental alignment, and lips closed with nasal breathing. Originated from orthotropics and promoted by practitioners like Dr. John Mew and Dr.

Mike Mew.

Why

Theoretical rationale:

  • Tongue pressure distributed against the palate may influence maxillary development during growth.
  • In adults, correct tongue posture supports forward and upward soft tissue positioning, improving perceived jawline definition from better neck and chin alignment.
  • Mewing also encourages nasal breathing, which supports better head posture and reduced mouth-breathing related facial changes.

Evidence and Limits

  • Stronger evidence exists for growth-phase changes in children and adolescents; for adults, evidence is mostly anecdotal and biomechanical.
  • Clinical outcomes for adults are variable. Improvements tend to be subtle and slow, often combined with posture and weight reduction for visible change.

How to Integrate

  • Use mewing as a long-term habit - think months to years.
  • Pair with other interventions: jawline exercises, fat loss, and posture correction. Expect incremental gains rather than dramatic overnight changes.

When to Prioritize

  • Prioritize mewing early for anyone practicing non-surgical facial enhancement due to low cost and zero invasiveness.
  • If you have orthodontic or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) concerns, consult a dentist or orthodontist before intensive tongue posture training.

Practical Insight

  • Track progress with a weekly selfie at the same angle and lighting and a simple metric like the cervicomental angle measurement or subjective sharpness rating from 1 to 10.
  • If after 6 months of consistent mewing and posture work you see no change and want more, explore minimally invasive options.

How to mew correctly step by step

What to Aim For

Full-palate tongue posture, closed lips, nasal breathing, and gentle teeth contact or minimal separation depending on your occlusion.

Step by Step

  1. Relax your face and lips. Close your mouth gently.
  2. Place the tip of the tongue just behind the front teeth on the palate ridge (the alveolar ridge), not on the teeth themselves.
  3. Flatten the body of the tongue upward to make contact with the entire palate. There should be pressure across the middle and back of the tongue too.
  4. Breathe through the nose at rest. If nasal breathing is blocked, consult an ENT (ear nose and throat) specialist.
  5. Swallow with the tongue pressed to the palate, not using the cheek muscles.

Daily Routine

  • Morning: 5 minutes of focused mewing while sitting upright.
  • During day: micro-checks every 20 to 30 minutes using a phone alarm or posture app; aim to accumulate 30 to 60 minutes of conscious contact each day.
  • Night: wear a gentle reminder (adhesive note or alarm) to ensure mouth remains closed while falling asleep.

Common Signals You are Doing It Right

  • Slight pressure on the roof of the mouth without jaw clenching.
  • Nasal breathing becomes natural over time.
  • Reduced forward head posture and less mouth breathing.

Progress and Timeline

  • Habit formation: 3 to 12 weeks.
  • Visible soft tissue shift: 8 to 24 weeks for subtle changes when combined with posture and fat loss.
  • Skeletal changes in adults: unlikely without orthopedics or surgery.

Troubleshooting

  • If you feel jaw pain, reduce intensity, stop clenching, and consult a dentist or TMJ specialist.
  • If nasal breathing is difficult, get an ENT evaluation; correcting nasal obstruction can make mewing feasible.

Example Routine

  • Week 1 to 4: 10 minutes daily focused mewing + alarms 4 times/day.
  • Week 5 to 12: 30 to 60 minutes daily across the day + integrate with jaw exercises.
  • Month 4 onward: maintenance mode with micro-checks and nasal breathing focus.

Jawline exercises routines and timeline

Overview

Target muscle groups: masseter (chewing muscle), suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles under the chin, and platysma in the neck. Exercises increase tone and can reduce sagging when combined with fat loss and skin care.

Principles

  • Progressive overload: increase duration or resistance gradually.
  • Frequency: 3 to 5 times per week for best results.
  • Reps and sets: treat jaw muscles like other muscles; 3 sets per exercise with 8 to 20 reps or timed holds.

Exercises with Numbers

  1. Chin tucks
  • 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps daily.
  • Hold each tuck for 3 to 5 seconds. Use posture mirror to keep spine neutral.
  1. Resistive jaw opening
  • Use your hand under your chin or a resistance device like Jawzrsize.
  • 3 sets of 10 slow controlled openings. 2 to 3 seconds open, 2 to 3 seconds close.
  1. Chewing simulation with gum
  • Chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes per session, 3 times per day.
  • Equivalent to low resistance endurance training for masseters.
  1. Platysma exercise
  • 3 sets of 15: tense the neck skin by pulling corners of mouth down and forward, hold 5 seconds.
  1. Tongue press holds
  • Press tongue to palate hard and hold for 10 seconds; 5 repeats, twice daily.

Resistance Tools and Reps

  • Jawzrsize (soft or advanced): 3 sets x 20 bites, every other day. Pricing $20 to $35 USD for starter units.
  • Chewable silicone trainers (e.g., ChewPro): $15 to $40 USD.

12 Week Timeline Example

  • Weeks 1 to 4: Master form. Low resistance, focus on posture and mewing. Expect minor postural improvements in 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Weeks 5 to 8: Add resistance (Jawzrsize or manual resistance). Increase chewing sessions to 20 to 30 minutes/day. Expect muscle tone increases and slight jawline sharpening by week 8.
  • Weeks 9 to 12: Maintain resistance and increase intensity for 2 sessions/week. Combine with sustained 300 to 500 kcal daily deficit if fat loss desired. Expect more noticeable jawline definition by week 12 if combined with fat reduction.

Safety

  • If you have TMJ pain, reduce intensity or consult a dentist. Stop if pain increases.
  • Avoid overtraining; jaw muscles can fatigue and cause headaches.

Practical Examples

  • Person A: 35 year old, BMI 26, follows diet for 10 lb loss and does exercises above. Likely to see subjective improvement in jawline sharpness after 8 to 12 weeks.
  • Person B: 22 year old, normal weight, uses mewing + exercises. Expect subtle improvements in posture and neck definition within 6 to 12 weeks.

Non surgical and surgical comparison with pricing

Non Surgical Options

  • Lifestyle and exercise: cost = free to $200 for posture apps or resistance tools.
  • Dermal fillers (chin or jawline augmentation): $600 to $1,500 per syringe. Most treatments use 1 to 3 syringes. Total typical cost $600 to $4,000 USD.
  • Botox for masseter reduction: $300 to $1,000 per side initially; results last 3 to 6 months.
  • Kybella (deoxycholic acid) for submental fat: $1,200 to $2,400 per treatment; 2 to 4 sessions often required.
  • Non surgical skin tightening (radiofrequency): $300 to $1,800 per session; multiple sessions recommended.

Surgical Options

  • Chin implant: $3,000 to $8,000 including surgeon fees and anesthesia.
  • Jaw implants or contouring: $6,000 to $15,000.
  • Orthognathic (jaw repositioning) surgery: $20,000 to $40,000 depending on scope and region.
  • Liposuction of submental area: $2,000 to $6,000.

Comparison Notes

  • Non surgical options are faster, lower risk, and require maintenance.
  • Surgical options are permanent but expensive and carry surgical risk and recovery time of 1 to 6 weeks for visible recovery and months for full settling.
  • For structural bone discrepancies, surgery or orthodontics may be the only effective route.

Decision Framework

  • Start with non invasive: mewing, posture, diet, and exercises for at least 12 weeks.
  • If dissatisfied, consider minimally invasive options like fillers or Botox.
  • If major structural changes are needed or desired, consult surgical specialists for evaluation.

Tools and resources

Apps and Devices

  • Jawzrsize: silicone bite trainers, $20 to $35 on their official store or Amazon. Useful for progressive resistance chewing.
  • Upright Go 2 posture trainer (Upright Technologies): small device to wear on the upper back that vibrates when you slouch; $79 to $129 depending on promos. Helps reduce forward head posture.
  • Habit reminder apps: use any reminder app or Apple/Android calendar to set mewing checks every 20 to 30 minutes free.
  • Photo tracking: smartphone camera + consistent lighting; use simple apps like “ProgressPic” or just a timestamped folder to compare weekly photos.

Professional Consultations

  • General dentist or orthodontist: initial consult $100 to $300.
  • TMJ specialist or orofacial pain dentist: consult $150 to $350.
  • ENT for nasal breathing issues: consult $150 to $300.
  • Plastic surgeon or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for implants: consult $200 to $500.

Educational Resources

  • Books and clinics on orthotropics by Dr. John Mew and Dr. Mike Mew for background on tongue posture and facial growth.
  • YouTube channels and anatomy resources for jaw exercises; verify credentials and prefer licensed clinicians.

Cost Checklist

  • Basic supplies: gum, mirror, $0 to $10.
  • Resistance trainer: $20 to $35.
  • Posture trainer: $79 to $129.
  • Dermatology or cosmetic consult: $100 to $300.
  • Minor aesthetic procedure: $600 to $2,400.
  • Major surgery: $6,000 to $40,000.

Availability

  • Most tools available online global platforms like Amazon, official company sites, or local medical clinics.
  • For procedures, choose clinic and provider with board certification and before/after portfolios.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

  1. Overemphasizing one method only
  • Mistake: expecting mewing alone to produce dramatic adult skeletal change.
  • Avoid by combining mewing with posture, diet, and exercises for layered improvement.
  1. Excessive jaw resistance training
  • Mistake: overtraining the masseters with heavy devices daily causing TMJ pain.
  • Avoid by limiting resistance sessions to 3 to 5 times per week and stopping if jaw pain or tinnitus appears.
  1. Ignoring nasal breathing issues
  • Mistake: assuming you can mew effectively when nasal airway is blocked.
  • Avoid by getting an ENT assessment; treating allergic rhinitis or septal deviation can make mewing feasible.
  1. Poor photographic tracking
  • Mistake: changing angles, lighting, and expressions makes progress impossible to judge.
  • Avoid by taking weekly photos at consistent angle, distance, neutral expression, and lighting.
  1. Choosing inexperienced providers for injectables or surgery
  • Mistake: focusing on price over credentials for fillers, Botox, or surgery.
  • Avoid by verifying board certification, reading reviews, and asking for before and after galleries.

FAQ

How Long Before I See Results From Mewing?

Most adults see subtle postural and soft tissue changes in 8 to 24 weeks with consistent practice; skeletal changes are unlikely without orthodontic or surgical intervention.

Can Jaw Exercises Reduce Double Chin?

Jaw exercises can improve muscle tone and neck definition, but reducing a double chin usually requires overall fat loss, injectables like Kybella, or surgical removal for significant excess.

Is Jawline Slimming with Botox Safe?

Botox used for masseter reduction is generally safe when administered by a licensed professional; effects are temporary (3 to 6 months) and side effects can include chewing weakness or asymmetry.

How Often Should I Practice Mewing Daily?

Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of conscious mewing distributed across the day and frequent micro-checks until it becomes an unconscious habit.

Will Mewing Fix My Underbite or Overbite?

Mewing will not reliably correct established underbite or overbite in adults; orthodontic or surgical consultation is necessary for bite correction.

Do I Need to Change My Diet to Improve My Jawline?

Diet helps reduce facial fat and is often necessary if the goal is sharper contours. A daily calorie deficit of 300 to 500 kcal usually yields sustainable weight loss of 0.5 to 1 lb per week.

Next steps

  1. Start a 12 week plan today
  • Week 1 to 4: practice mewing 10 minutes daily, do chin tucks and platysma exercises 3 times/week, set posture reminders.
  • Week 5 to 8: add resistive chewing sessions and increase mewing to 30 minutes daily.
  • Weeks 9 to 12: evaluate progress via photos, adjust diet for modest calorie deficit if fat loss desired.
  1. Track objectively
  • Take front and side photos weekly with consistent lighting and a neutral expression. Log exercises and mewing minutes in a simple spreadsheet.
  1. Address medical issues
  • If you have nasal obstruction or TMJ pain, schedule consultations with an ENT and a dentist before escalating training intensity.
  1. Decide on escalation
  • After 12 weeks, evaluate results. If goals unmet, research clinics for fillers, Botox, or surgical options and budget using the price ranges provided.

Checklist to Start

  • Mirror and phone for photos
  • Reminder app set to 20 to 30 minute intervals
  • One resistance tool (Jawzrsize or silicone trainer) if no TMJ issues
  • Basic diet plan to create 300 kcal daily deficit if fat loss targeted

This structured approach balances low cost lifestyle changes with clear timelines and decision points for when to consider professional procedures.

Further Reading

Jamie

About the author

Jamie — Founder, Jawline Exercises (website)

Jamie helps people improve their facial structure through proven mewing techniques and AI-guided jawline exercises.

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