Mewing for Hollow Cheeks: Achieving a Sculpted Look Naturally

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If you're aiming for that coveted model-like appearance, having well-defined, hollow cheeks is often seen as a key feature. Fortunately, mewing—the practice of maintaining proper tongue posture—has gained attention as a natural way to enhance facial aesthetics, including achieving hollow cheeks.
By promoting proper tongue placement and swallowing techniques, mewing may help create more prominent cheekbones and reduce puffiness in the cheeks.
In this article, we’ll explore how mewing for hollow cheeks works, the science behind it, and how you can incorporate this technique into your daily routine for noticeable results.
What Is Mewing?
Mewing is a technique that involves maintaining proper tongue posture by resting the entire tongue against the roof of the mouth. This practice is rooted in orthotropics, a field of dentistry that focuses on natural facial growth and development through proper oral posture.
In ancient times, our ancestors maintained strong jawlines and balanced facial structures due to their diets of tough, unprocessed foods and correct oral posture.
However, modern diets and sedentary lifestyles have led to weaker jawlines and less defined facial features. Mewing aims to reverse these effects by reestablishing correct tongue posture and swallowing habits.
When practiced consistently, mewing can contribute to higher cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, and the coveted hollow cheeks look.
How Mewing Enhances Hollow Cheeks
Mewing promotes hollow cheeks by addressing several key factors:
1. Pressure on the Palate
When you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, it exerts gentle pressure on the palate. Over time, this pressure may cause the palate to expand slightly, lifting the maxilla (upper jaw) upward and forward. This movement can make your cheekbones appear more prominent, contributing to the development of hollow cheeks.
2. Buccinator Muscle Atrophy
The buccinator muscle is located under your cheeks and is often engaged during improper swallowing techniques or excessive mouth breathing. By practicing correct swallowing techniques as part of mewing, you can reduce overuse of this muscle, potentially leading to its atrophy (shrinkage). This atrophy can result in a more sunken or hollow appearance in the cheeks.
3. Facial Fat Redistribution
Proper tongue posture encourages nasal breathing and better overall oral posture, which may help reduce puffiness in the face over time. Combined with weight loss or maintaining a healthy body fat percentage, mewing can enhance cheekbone definition further.
Perfecting Your Swallowing Technique for Hollow Cheeks
Maintaining correct tongue posture is only part of the equation when it comes to mewing for hollow cheeks.
Proper swallowing technique is equally important:
Tongue Placement During Swallowing
- Press your tongue firmly against your palate while swallowing.
- Avoid engaging your cheek muscles during this process.
- Keep your lips closed and teeth lightly touching as you swallow.
Practice Mewing with Liquids
- Take a small sip of water.
- Lean forward slightly so your mouth points downward.
- Maintain a smiling expression while swallowing without letting your lips touch.
- Ensure that your tongue forms a seal with your palate during the swallow.
- Mike Mew refers to this exercise as the cheesy smile swallow.
This technique minimizes engagement of the buccinator muscle, reducing its size over time and contributing to a more hollow-cheeked appearance.
The Role of Genetics in Achieving Hollow Cheeks
While mewing can enhance facial aesthetics, it’s important to recognize that genetics play a significant role in determining your facial structure. Factors such as cheekbone size and shape are largely inherited traits that cannot be entirely altered through mewing alone. However, consistent practice can still lead to noticeable improvements by optimizing what’s already present in your facial structure.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
The timeline for seeing results from mewing varies depending on age, genetics, and consistency:
- Children and Teenagers: Due to their malleable bones, younger individuals may see changes within a few months.
- Adults: Results may take six months to several years but are still achievable with consistent practice.
- Buccinator Muscle Atrophy: Reduction in buccinator muscle size may occur within 4-6 months of proper swallowing technique.
It’s essential to remain patient and consistent with mewing practices to achieve long-term results.
Tips for Effective Mewing for Hollow Cheeks
To maximize your results when practicing mewing for hollow cheeks:
Perfect Your Tongue Posture
- Rest your entire tongue against the roof of your mouth.
- Ensure that the tip of your tongue does not touch your front teeth.
Focus on Nasal Breathing: Breathe through your nose at all times to support proper oral posture.
Avoid Overusing Cheek Muscles: Practice correct swallowing techniques to minimize engagement of the buccinator muscle.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Combine mewing with regular exercise and a balanced diet to reduce excess facial fat
Be Consistent: Practice mewing throughout the day until it becomes second nature.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Mewing for Hollow Cheeks
To ensure you’re practicing mewing correctly:
- Avoid applying excessive pressure with your tongue; gentle but firm pressure is sufficient.
- Don’t let your tongue touch your front teeth.
- Be mindful of clenching or overusing other facial muscles during practice.
Conclusion: Achieving Hollow Cheeks Through Mewing
Mewing for hollow cheeks is an effective and natural way to enhance facial aesthetics over time. By maintaining proper tongue posture, perfecting your swallowing technique, and combining these practices with healthy lifestyle habits, you can work towards achieving more defined cheekbones and sunken cheeks.
While genetics play an important role in determining facial structure, consistent practice can optimize what’s already present in your features. Remember that patience is key—results take time but are well worth the effort when practiced diligently.
Start incorporating mewing into your daily routine today and take one step closer toward achieving those coveted hollow cheeks!