The practice known as “Mewing,” a non-medical term popularized on social media, describes maintaining a specific resting tongue posture against the roof of the mouth. Proponents suggest this habit can influence facial structure, breathing, and jaw alignment. Many individuals who attempt this technique struggle to achieve or maintain the correct position throughout the day. This difficulty stems from deeply ingrained muscular habits, physical limitations, or a misunderstanding of the proper posture. This article explores why many struggle to “Mew” and the potential risks of forcing an incorrect position.
Understanding Proper Tongue Posture
The goal of proper tongue posture is to ensure the entire dorsal surface of the tongue rests against the palate, or the roof of the mouth. This requires engaging the middle and posterior third of the tongue, not just the tip. The tip should rest lightly just behind the front teeth, avoiding pressure against the teeth or gum tissue.
Full palatal contact relies on a “suction hold.” This involves creating a slight vacuum that pulls the tongue upward, allowing it to rest naturally without continuous muscle effort. A common technique is to swallow and then maintain the suction holding the back of the tongue against the soft palate. When correctly positioned, the mouth remains closed, and breathing occurs comfortably through the nose.
Common Muscular and Habitual Barriers
Many barriers are related to muscle function and learned behavior rather than structure. A frequent issue is a lack of endurance in the deep lingual muscles responsible for elevating the tongue’s posterior section. Since most people have a low resting tongue position, these muscles are often weak and quickly fatigue when attempting to hold the posture.
A common mistake is “tip-only mewing,” where the individual presses only the front of the tongue onto the palate, neglecting the back portion. This partial contact fails to provide upward pressure to the maxilla or create the essential suction hold. Incorrect swallowing patterns, known as a tongue thrust, also counteract the desired posture by pushing the tongue forward against the teeth. Chronic mouth-breathing makes maintaining the posture nearly impossible, as the tongue must drop to the floor of the mouth to keep the airway open.
Anatomical Constraints That Prevent Mewing
In some cases, the inability to achieve proper tongue posture is due to physical anatomy that training alone cannot overcome. The most frequently cited structural limitation is Ankyloglossia, commonly known as a tongue tie. This condition is caused by a restrictive lingual frenulum—the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A tethered frenulum restricts tongue mobility, preventing the posterior third from lifting fully against the palate.
Another obstacle is a high-arched or narrow palate, often a consequence of a low tongue resting position during development. When the palate is narrow, there is insufficient space for the entire tongue to comfortably spread and suction to the roof of the mouth. Jaw alignment issues, such as severe malocclusions like an overbite or underbite, can impede the natural resting place of the tongue, making the ideal contact point unreachable.
Risks of Forcing Improper Posture
When individuals struggle to achieve the correct posture, they often attempt to force the action, which can lead to negative health consequences. Applying excessive or uneven pressure on the teeth, a common mistake when forcing the tongue, can disrupt existing dental alignment. This pressure can push teeth forward or create gaps, potentially worsening the bite or causing orthodontic relapse.
Forcing the tongue into an unnatural position can strain the muscles and joints of the jaw, leading to Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction. Symptoms of a TMJ disorder include chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw, and facial muscle tension. Misalignment caused by muscular compensation can contribute to headaches and neck strain. While correct tongue posture is supported by myofunctional science, the aesthetic claims of “Mewing” in adults lack robust scientific evidence. Attempting to force the posture without professional guidance carries a risk of injury with no guaranteed aesthetic result.