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Does mewing work at all for girls?
Executive summary
Evidence in the provided sources shows strong online enthusiasm for mewing — many before/after photo compilations and anecdotal reports claim facial tightening and jaw definition for women, often over months to years [1] [2] [3]. However, mainstream health coverage and how‑to guides note a lack of rigorous scientific proof that mewing produces permanent skeletal changes, and some sources explicitly caution results may be temporary or vary widely [4] [5].
1. What proponents say: visible female results and timelines
Enthusiast sites and "before/after" compilations repeatedly present women who report reduced double chins, tighter skin under the jaw, slimmer cheeks, and more defined profiles after mewing — with timelines ranging from weeks to years and claims that consistent daily tongue posture is critical to change [1] [6] [2] [7]. These pages also promote tools and apps to track progress or force tongue position [2] [7], and some claim that improvements may extend to teeth alignment or breathing [3] [6].
2. What neutral health reporting says: plausible soft‑tissue effects, uncertain bone remodeling
Health‑focused reporting explains the technique (placing the tongue on the palate at rest) and notes proponents’ claims — stronger jawlines, improved cheekbones and breathing — but frames the evidence gap: measurable, permanent skeletal remodeling in adults is not established in these sources, and results may take months to years if they occur [4]. WikiHow’s guide likewise records many positive user reports while explicitly saying "not backed by science" and that permanent tightening of the jawline lacks solid evidence [5].
3. Where the disagreement matters: soft tissue vs. bone, adults vs. growth periods
The core scientific tension implicit in the reporting is whether posture can produce long‑term bone (maxillary) remodeling in adults versus short‑term soft‑tissue and postural improvements. Enthusiast pages assert remodeling of the maxilla and cite orthodontic roots for tongue exercises [3], while health explainers and how‑to guides caution that documented, reliable skeletal changes—especially in fully grown adults—are not confirmed in mainstream medical summaries found here [4] [5].
4. Risks, limitations, and commercial incentives to watch for
Several sources push paid apps, appliances, or coaching programs promising higher success rates or easier adherence [2] [7]. Those commercial interests create an incentive to highlight dramatic transformations and might bias photographic selections. The reporting here does not document harms from mewing, but WikiHow recommends consulting a professional for permanent cosmetic concerns and warns against expecting guaranteed long‑term fixing [5].
5. Practical takeaway for women considering mewing
Based on these sources, women could try mewing for posture and breathing benefits and might notice softer, cosmetic changes (reduced visible submental fullness or cheek contouring) over months if they maintain consistent tongue posture [1] [6] [2]. But the available reporting stresses variable outcomes, slow timelines, and no consensus proof of permanent skeletal change in adults; for major aesthetic or functional issues, specialists (dentists, orthodontists, ENT or plastic surgeons) are recommended [4] [5].
6. What’s missing in the current reporting and what would settle the question
The sources provided are heavy on compiled anecdotes, photos, and commercial programs [1] [2] [7] and lighter on peer‑reviewed clinical trials or longitudinal imaging studies demonstrating bone change in adult women (not found in current reporting). A controlled study using cephalometric (skull) imaging over time in adults who mew versus controls would be the clearest evidence; such studies are not cited in the supplied material (not found in current reporting).
7. How to evaluate claims you’ll see online
Treat before/after photo galleries and testimonials as hypothesis‑generating, not proof: check for controlled imaging, clear timelines, clinical oversight, and disclosure of devices or paid coaching [1] [2] [7]. Give weight to neutral health explainers that highlight the limits of current evidence [4] [5] and be alert to commercial motives when an article also sells a product [2] [7].
Bottom line: women report and publish visible improvements from mewing in many online compilations, and some health guides accept possible soft‑tissue or postural benefits [1] [6] [2]. But authoritative reporting included here emphasizes the lack of definitive scientific proof that mewing reliably creates permanent bone‑structure changes in adult females; the strongest claims in the supplied sources rely on anecdotes, photo compilations, and commercial programs rather than controlled clinical evidence [4] [5].