Mewing is the practice of maintaining proper tongue posture by resting the tongue against the roof of the mouth to promote better facial structure and nasal breathing.

Mewing may encourage better tongue posture, improve nasal breathing, and possibly enhance facial muscle tone, but it won’t significantly alter bone structure in adults.

Is mewing real or a myth?

Mewing is based on valid oral posture concepts, but its effects are often overstated online. For lasting results, orthodontic evaluation is recommended.

Can mewing improve your jawline?

There’s no scientific evidence that mewing alone can reshape your jawline, especially in adults. Treatments like clear aligners or braces are more effective for structural changes.

Mewing in 2025: Does This Jawline Trend Actually Work?

March 28, 2025

What Is Mewing? The Truth Behind the Trend—and What Orthodontists Want You to Know

If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Reddit and stumbled upon the word “mewing,” you’re not alone. With over 300,000 monthly searches globally and viral mewing memes and emojis flooding the internet, the trend is everywhere. But what does mewing mean, and—more importantly—does mewing actually work?

At Elate Orthodontics, with convenient locations in Frisco, Prosper, and The Colony, we believe in separating fact from fiction. Let’s break down the real story behind mewing.

Mewing in 2025: Does This Viral Jawline Trend Actually Work?

🧐 What Is Mewing?

The term mewing refers to a form of oral posture technique that involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth, maintaining proper jaw alignment, and breathing through the nose. It was popularized by Dr. John Mew and his son, Dr. Mike Mew—British orthodontists who believe that this practice can subtly reshape the jawline and facial structure over time.

Define mewing: In simple terms, it’s keeping the tongue pressed against the palate with your lips sealed and teeth gently touching.

🤔 What Does Mewing Mean (and Where Did It Come From)?

If you’re asking, “what does mewing mean?”, you’re not alone—this phrase gets over 27,000 searches a month. Mewing gained traction thanks to viral mewing memes, TikTok videos, and countless before and after photos that make it seem like a miracle fix for jawlines.

But here’s the catch: while good tongue posture is helpful for breathing and oral function, mewing isn’t a substitute for professional orthodontic care, especially in moderate to severe cases of misalignment.

If you’re dealing with an overbite, crossbite, or crowding, our team at Elate Orthodontics can guide you through real solutions—like clear braces or Angel Aligners—tailored to your needs.

🦷 Does Mewing Actually Work?

The big question: does mewing work?

✅ Maybe, for young individuals whose bones are still developing.

❌ Probably not, for adults looking for dramatic “jawline transformation.”

There’s limited scientific research to support claims of mewing producing drastic structural changes in fully developed adult jaws. Most orthodontists view mewing as beneficial in terms of awareness around tongue posture and breathing habits, but not as a replacement for proper orthodontic treatment.

Want to fix a bite issue or align your jawline properly? Explore options like traditional braces or Invisalign, which deliver medically proven results.

📸 Mewing Before and After—Fact or Fiction?

A search for mewing before and after photos often shows dramatic transformations, but it’s important to note:

Many “results” are due to weight loss, camera angles, or orthodontic treatments.
Real before-and-after progress from orthodontics? You can check out our Before and After Gallery for actual, professionally guided transformations.

Mewing might help with mindful posture, but for true skeletal and dental changes, professional care is a must.

🧠 What Does Mewing Do—If Anything?

Here’s what mewing can potentially help with (when combined with other good habits):

Encouraging nasal breathing over mouth breathing
Improving tongue posture
Possibly enhancing facial muscle tone over time

Here’s what it won’t do:

Fix severe bite problems
Reshape bone structure in adults
Replace the need for orthodontics

If your child has concerns about facial growth, early evaluation is key. Learn more about our early orthodontic care for kids.

😂 Mewing Emojis, Memes, and the Viral Side of It All

A big reason for the surge in search terms like “mewing emoji”, “mewing meme”, and “mewing slang” is social media culture. You’ll find:

The 💀 (skull) + 😐 (neutral face) + 🔥 (fire) combo trending as “mewing emojis”
TikToks showing exaggerated jawlines labeled “sigma mewing”
Satirical memes like Trump mewing and Shrek mewing

While they’re funny, they’ve also led to lots of misinformation. Mewing is often overhyped and oversimplified, especially among teenagers chasing aesthetic perfection.

💡 So… Should You Try Mewing?

Here’s our expert take from Elate Orthodontics:

“There’s no harm in practicing good tongue posture. But if you’re trying to fix your bite, improve your smile, or change facial structure, mewing alone won’t cut it. Orthodontics is still the gold standard.”

If you’re in Frisco, Prosper, or The Colony, come visit us for a consultation. We’ll assess your bite, growth pattern, and offer treatment plans that actually work.

🔍 Related Reading & External Sources

For more insight into mewing and its popularity:

📍 Ready for Real Results?

If you’re looking to improve your jawline, correct a bite issue, or enhance your smile—schedule a consultation with our experienced team:

In SummaryMewing might be trending, but it’s not a magic fix. For real facial harmony, orthodontic health, and long-term results—trust the experts. At Elate Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you toward a healthier, more confident smile.

Let the internet mew… we’ll help you smile.

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