One of the most common questions I’ve seen in mewing circles online is can mewing fix an overbite?
The truth is there’s no conclusive evidence that you can fix an overbite with mewing. Similarly, there’s no evidence that mewing will make your overbite worse. In any case, you should still be able to mew even with an overbite.
In this article, we’ll discuss whether or not mewing can actually help you correct an overbite — and everything else you need to know about mewing with an overbite!
Mewing with an Overbite
Mewing should be done without significant force. In my complete guide to mewing, I write that your teeth should be gently touching and your mouth closed. However, some people have been having a hard time mewing with an overbite.
Some have reported jutting their bottom jaw out while mewing to correct this problem. This brings their lower teeth into alignment with their upper teeth, and allows them to maintain proper oral posture.
If your overbite is a consequence of poor mouth posture — which could be a possibility, although the evidence is lacking — then mewing should help in reverting the overbite.
However, if your overbite is simply an anatomical problem, then mewing probably can’t do anything to correct that, especially if it’s a problem of the bone..
Mewing may expand your maxilla, but it doesn’t pull it backwards to correct your overbite. Some users have reported their mandible (lower jaw) coming forward thanks to mewing, but this isn’t a common effect in most individuals..
In any case, you should be able to reap the benefits of mewing even if you do have an overbite.
What Should You Do If You Have an Overbite?
Simply put, an overbite is generally considered to be a dental problem. You are going to need braces or a face appliance to correct the position of your jaw. With these appliances, it can take a long time to achieve the desired results.
Although you may want to try mewing to correct this problem, sadly this can’t be done with just proper tongue posture. Mewing is about expanding the palate and correcting the balance of the face, but not magically correcting every facial structure. It cannot help with overbites for this reason.
As it’s commonly said, you should look to dentistry for corrections and mewing for maintenance. In other words, mewing is a preventative measure: it keeps your face aligned in a healthy position, thereby preventing new problems from arising. If problems already exist, though, like an overbite, the traditional orthodontic approach is undoubtedly very effective.
Don’t be afraid to speak to your orthodontist or dentist about this idea. Wearing an appliance to correct an overbite should be welcomed, but it should also correspond with correct tongue posture to ensure long-term benefits.
Help! Mewing Has Made My Overbite Worse!
While mewing appears to have fixed overbites in a few before and after photos, others have reported their overbite getting worse from mewing. This is because as the maxilla expands, it may also inadvertently jut forward, thus making the overbite more pronounced.
Mewing does not treat conditions of the mandible because the tongue is applying pressure to the top of your mouth, not the floor. Hence, the best option would be to speak to your dentist about dental appliances to correct this problem.
If you are mewing too hard, your maxilla may jut too forward. This likely means that you are overworking your tongue. In this case, make sure to mew softer, don’t push as hard, and speak to your dentist for a professional opinion.
Make Sure You’re Mewing Correctly
An overbite can be worse if the pressure of the tongue is not applied consistently. For example, if you are only applying force to the first third of your palate, you are applying disproportionate pressure, most likely in a forward direction.
Mewing is about applying gentle pressure to the palate, i.e. pushing the palate up, not forwards. As such, make sure to keep your entire tongue on the roof of your mouth. This will make it so that the entire roof of your mouth expands consistently, and doesn’t inadvertently push the maxilla forward.
By doing mewing incorrectly, you may end up doing more harm than good. Many of us with overbites who try mewing have a tendency not to make their teeth touch, which is why we suggest jutting your lower jaw forward if you have an overbite. Alternatively, some of us with overbites might not consciously be closing their mouthes when mewing. This is an indicator that you are mewing incorrectly.
To mew properly, make sure to follow these steps:
- Keep your lips closed when mewing
- Your teeth are touching each other gently (this is where jutting your lower jaw forward helps!)
- Make sure to keep the full tongue on the roof of your mouth and apply only a light amount of pressure
For more information on the correct way to mew, see our guide.
If you have an overbite, you should look in the mirror and first be cognizant of the face posture needed to have your teeth aligned. Now, compare that to your resting face. You should see a difference: is your bottom jaw not jutting out enough? Is your maxilla jutting out too much? By understanding this key difference, you can incorporate this knowledge into mewing so that your lips and teeth stay aligned.
Final Thoughts
Yes, it may sound complicated. With so many stories of people who’s overbite got worse from mewing, you may be too scared to try mewing at all.
However, your best bet is to first speak with your dentist or orthodontist. They will prescribe a treatment plan to correct your overbite over time. Generally, this involves a nighttime appliance. You can continue to mew during this period for proper tongue posture, but it is absolutely imperative you go see a professional.
In short, can mewing fix an overbite? No, it cannot. Yet, this doesn’t mean that mewing can’t produce significant benefits for you when coupled with a dental treatment plan.