Mewing (orthotropics)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mewing is a form of oral posture training purported to improve jaw and facial structure.[1] It was named after Mike and John Mew, the controversial British orthodontists who created the technique as a part of a practice called "orthotropics".[2] It involves placing one's tongue at the roof of the mouth and applying pressure, with the aim of changing the structure of the jaws.[3][4] No credible scientific research has ever proven the efficacy of orthotropics.[2]

Many orthodontists believe that mewing lacks evidence as a viable alternative treatment to orthognathic surgery.[1][5] Mike Mew was expelled from the British Orthodontic Society,[2] and faces a misconduct hearing for posing harm to child patients who underwent his treatments.[6][7] While Mike Mew has disparaged traditional orthodontics,[6] his orthotropic treatments for young children cost £12,500 for 36 months, and involve the wearing of headgear, neckgear and expansion appliances in the mouth.[7]

According to maxillofacial surgeon Paul Coceancig, "Mewing and chewing offer no structural change to the jaw, or other health benefits," adding "Will chewing a bone help your dog grow a bigger jaw?".[8]

Since 2019, mewing has received widespread media coverage due to its virality on social media,[9] especially in incel and looksmaxxing subcultures.[2]

Side effects[edit]

Mewing could potentially cause TMJ pain, misalignment of the upper and lower jaw or teeth, and may induce tinnitus.[10][11][12]

In popular culture[edit]

The technique has been used as an internet meme.[13] In reference to the appearance of Donald Trump in a 2023 mug shot, journalist Bindu Bansinath wrote "perhaps he's mewing for better definition."[14]

Data from Google Trends indicates an increase in global interest and popularity for "Mewing" starting from January 2019.[1] According to a 2024 article in The Independent, some school teachers say that students gesture to their jawline to indicate that they are mewing and do not wish to answer questions.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Lee, Urie K.; Graves, Lindsay L.; Friedlander, Arthur H. (1 September 2019). "Mewing: Social Media's Alternative to Orthognathic Surgery?". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 77 (9): 1743–1744. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2019.03.024. ISSN 0278-2391. PMID 31005620.
  2. ^ a b c d Brennan, William (2020-12-28). "How Two British Orthodontists Became Celebrities to Incels". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  3. ^ Yasharoff, Hannah. "People on TikTok are 'mewing.' Experts weigh in on this controversial beauty hack". USA Today. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  4. ^ Millhone, Carley (2023-02-07). "Should You Try Mewing? Here's What the Research Says". Health.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  5. ^ Rekawek, Peter; Wu, Brendan; Hanna, Todd (2021). "Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures, Social Media, and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery: Use of Trends for the Modern Practice". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 79 (4): 739–740. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2020.10.038. ISSN 0278-2391. PMID 33259784.
  6. ^ a b Media, P. A. (2022-11-14). "Orthodontist advised treatment with risk of harm to children, tribunal told". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  7. ^ a b Rufo, Yasmin (2023-04-05). "Mike Mew: Dental treatment boy had 'seizure-like episodes'". Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  8. ^ "Jaw surgeon debunks 'mewing' beauty trend". Canberra Daily. Newstime Media. 2023-02-25. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  9. ^ McClinton, Dream (21 March 2019). "Mewing: what is the YouTube craze that claims to reshape your face?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  10. ^ Frysh, Paul. "What Is Mewing?". WebMD. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  11. ^ "Tinnitus And The Temporomandibular Joint - Good Health Centre". 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  12. ^ Simmons, Richard; Dambra, Christina; Lobarinas, Edward; Stocking, Christine; Salvi, Richard (November 2008). "Head, Neck, and Eye Movements That Modulate Tinnitus". Seminars in Hearing. 29 (4): 361–370. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1095895. ISSN 0734-0451. PMC 2633109. PMID 19183705.
  13. ^ Garrity, Katie (2024-02-23). "Teachers Are Explaining Why Tween & Teen Students Are 'Mewing' In Class". Scary Mommy. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  14. ^ Bansinath, Bindu (2023-08-25). "It's Mug Shot Day". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  15. ^ "What is the 'mewing' trend? Why teachers are hitting back at classroom craze". The Independent. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
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