Does Mewing Hurt? Tips to Prevent Pain

Does Mewing Hurt?

Mewing is a facial exercise technique that has recently exploded in popularity online. It involves training your tongue to rest against the roof of your mouth while keeping your teeth together. Some claim it can reshape and define facial bone structure over time through proper oral posture.

But one common question from those considering trying mewing is - does it hurt? Understanding the difference between normal adjustment soreness and true pain is important.

Some Initial Discomfort May Occur

When first attempting mewing, it's normal to feel some strain and fatigue in unused facial and mouth muscles. The tongue is likely unaccustomed to proper positioning after years of poor posture.

Re-training it to suction against the palate rather than resting on the bottom teeth or floor of mouth requires effort. Strengthening the tongue can cause muscle soreness like from any new workout.

Jaw soreness around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might also happen initially. Clenching to keep the molars together while mewing can overwork the jaw muscles and ligaments.

However, this adjustment soreness due to new muscle use shouldn't be severe or persistent long-term if mewing properly.

Doing Too Much Too Soon

Some mewing discomfort arises from pushing limits too quickly before building requisite strength. Placing too much constant force from the tongue or jaw muscles rather than progressing more gradually can backfire.

Trying to mew vigorously for hours right away or force swelling tongue pressure against the palate is counterproductive. Thisattempting advanced practice without the muscular fitness for it heightens injury risk and pain.

Patience allows muscles to adapt without strain. Work up to longer mewing duration and intensity levels to avoid overdoing it early on.

Anatomical Interference

In some cases, pain from mewing results from physical barriers preventing normal tongue position against the palate. Someone might not have adequate room for ideal posture.

Crowded, crooked or misaligned teeth can obstruct the tongue resting smoothly against palate tissue. The tongue then has to strain and twist abnormally to mew properly.

Anatomical variations in the size/shape of jaws or airways also occasionally limit space. Congenitally narrow sinus cavities or palates intensify difficulty mewing sans pain.

These obstructions exacerbate muscle strain and discomfort trying to mew within structural confines. Corrective procedures like palatal expanders or jaw surgery may offer relief if thats the underlying cause.

Other Oral Issues

Pre-existing bite problems like an overbite or crossbite sometimes accompany mewing discomfort too. These decrease available space for the tongue to posture correctly.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD/TMJD) is joint inflammation and damage that also exacerbates mewing difficulties. It already causes face, jaw and head pain even without mewings added muscle demands.

And oral health problems like gum disease or mouth sores generate general mouth pain interferring with mewing practice. Treating these prior conditions first clears space for comfortable mewing.

How to Prevent Mewing Pain

Utilizing proper technique minimizes excessive mewing strain that leads to discomfort. Here are some tips to avoid issues:

Start Slowly

Rather than attempting to mew for hours right way, begin moderately. Try shorter 10-15 minute sessions 1-2 times per day and build stamina before increasing duration.

Use a timer to avoid over-fatiguing facial muscles initially. This gives time for gradual adaptation as the muscles strengthen.

Apply Gentle Pressure

Dont crush your tongue up forcefully against the entire palate. Instead, relax it to gently meet the roof of mouth behind top front teeth. The goal is light overall contact rather than extreme pressure.

Dont clench teeth tightly either. Keep molars together but jaw loose rather than tense. This prevents jaw muscle and TMJ strain.

Maintain Good Posture

Sit or stand upright when first mewing to allow proper tongue posture. Hunching over contracts things, while straight spine alignment opens up internal space.

Additionally, ensure head position faces forward. Turning it sideways makes symmetrical mewing tongue placement harder.

Avoid Talking Initially

Conversing requires moving tongue frequently, interrupting its palate position. Avoid talking while mewing early on to sustain posture.

Once the tongue habituates to roof-resting after a few weeks, then you can mew simultaneously while speaking if comfortable.

Identify Obstructions

Get examined by orthodontists or oral surgeons to pinpoint any anatomical restrictions impeding progression. This allows steps to correct them accordingly.

Custom oral devices like palate expanders can treat crowded teeth or narrow jaw issues over time in some instances.

What Does Healthy Mewing Feel Like?

Mewing correctly shouldnt be overly strenuous or distressing despite initial unfamiliarity. Seek help adjusting methods if experiencing:

• Constant painful muscle tightness or cramping
• Stabbing, sharp joint pain
• Throbbing migraines or headaches
• Numbness/tingling in face or mouth
• Tooth sensitivity or looseness
• Bleeding gums
• Inability to relax tongue/jaw after

Some sensations are expected when starting mewing, but moderate soreness should fade as the tissues acclimate within a few weeks.

Tongue Comfort

Ideally, mewing tongue posture fits these criteria:

• Light overall touch against the palate
• No painful spots of pressure
• Muscle tension but not strain
• Tongue able to relax down sometimes

Jaw Comfort

The jaw joint and muscles should:

• Feel comfortably aligned/supported
• Not grind/clench forcibly
• Relax between motions

Breathing Comfort

Nose breathing shouldn't feel hugely obstructed or require oral mouth breathing. Avoid aerobic exercise initially until adapting.

If anything becomes severely painful, cease mewing and consult an orofacial orthopedist or TMJ specialist for evaluation.

Managing Lingering Mewing Discomfort

These tips alleviate pain from muscle overuse as the body conforms:

Stretching Exercises

Gently move the jaw, face, tongue and neck through full range of motion. Open mouth wide then relax closed. Extend tongue out/in. Roll shoulders.

Perform self-massage on tender spots too. This loosens tense areas.

Saltwater Rinses

Swishing/gargling warm salt water soothes oral inflammation. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water and rinse mouth 2-3 times daily.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol reduce swollen discomfort as mewing transitions occur.

Heat/Ice Therapy

Alternating heat packs and ice packs alleviates muscular face, jaw and headache pains. Use this combo therapy for 20 minutes 2-3 times daily when sore.

Diet Modifications

Avoid hard, chewy or crunchy foods that overwork the jaw. Choose softer nourishing options until adjusting to mewing demands.

Professional Help for Lingering Mewing Pain

See a myofunctional therapist, dentist, orthodontist or orofacial pain specialist if discomfort lingers beyond a few weeks despite taking precautions.

Custom treatment plans can help retrain tongue posture, expand constricted anatomy non-surgically in some instances, or provide pain relief modalities.

Jaw issues like TMJ/TMD or misaligned bites may also need specific therapy. Addressing these foundational problems ensures proper environment for mewing.

The Bottom Line

Mild muscle soreness when starting mewing is expected, especially if poor prior oral posture existed. But ongoing sharp or severe pain is not normal.

Prevent problems by avoiding anatomical obstructions, progressing gradually, applying gentle pressure levels, and relaxing between sessions.

Correct any tooth misalignments or jaw joint dysfunction prior to mewing attempts. And adjust techniques or get help if discomfort persists despite prudent efforts.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.