Raising What does mewing mean? What parents should know about the trend
What does mewing mean? Mewing is pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, sometimes for hours, in the hope of reshaping the jaw and face. It's named after UK orthodontist John Mew and spread on TikTok. The American Association of Orthodontists says there's no scientific evidence it works and warns it can cause problems with teeth and bite.
Mewing at a glance
| Means | Pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth, sometimes for hours, hoping to reshape the jawline |
|---|---|
| Named after | UK orthodontist John Mew; spread through videos by his son Mike Mew |
| Orthodontists say | No scientific evidence it works; risks to teeth and bite (AAO, January 2024) source |
Checked October 2026. Slang changes fast; meanings can differ between groups of kids.
What is mewing?
Short answer: A tongue posture that's supposed to sharpen the jawline.
People press the whole tongue to the roof of the mouth, lips closed, and hold it, sometimes for hours, hoping for a more defined jaw. According to Dictionary.com, kids also use a related gesture, finger to lips and tracing the jaw, to mean "I can't talk, I'm mewing."
Where mewing comes from
Mewing is named after John Mew, a UK orthodontist who promoted ideas about tongue posture and facial growth. Videos by his son, orthodontist Mike Mew, helped it spread on YouTube, and it later spread on TikTok, often in videos about looks and "looksmaxxing."
Is mewing safe?
Short answer: The American Association of Orthodontists says it carries risks and no proven benefit.
In 2024, the American Association of Orthodontists said there's no scientific evidence that mewing changes the jawline, and listed possible risks, including loosened teeth, a misaligned bite, tooth wear, and changes in speech. AAO president Myron Guymon said the risks outweigh the unproven benefits.
The habit kids may copy: changing your face to fit in
Mewing videos promise a better-looking face. The question is what that message does to a young child.
Try tonight: check the claim
Ask: "Who says mewing works, and how would we check?" Look up what orthodontists say together. In our program, this is the lesson "True or Made Up": checking a claim against the facts.
FAQ
Does mewing work?
The American Association of Orthodontists says there's no scientific evidence that it changes the jawline.
Is mewing bad for kids?
Orthodontists list possible risks: loosened teeth, a misaligned bite, tooth wear, and changes in speech.
What does the mewing hand gesture mean?
Finger to the lips and a trace along the jaw means "I can't talk, I'm mewing."
Who invented mewing?
It's named after UK orthodontist John Mew, who promoted ideas about tongue posture.
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