Facial Forward Growth—Exploring the TikTok Trend

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Find out whether you can really get facial forward growth at home
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If you spend any time in looksmaxxing communities online, you’ve probably heard about facial forward growth—using exercise, facial massage, and special chewing gums to help create a more defined lower jaw. But do any of these techniques really work? We’re digging deep into the facial forward growth craze to find out what you can (and can’t) do to get a chiseled jaw.

How do you get facial forward growth?

Influencers commonly tout facial fitness gum, mewing, and other jawline exercises as a way to get facial forward growth. These techniques may help your jawline look more defined, but they won’t change the underlying bone structure. For that, you’ll need to talk to an orthodontist about dental appliances or surgery.

Section 1 of 6:

What is facial forward growth?

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  1. The goal of facial forward growth is to create the appearance of a stronger jawline. If alignment issues are corrected, forward facial growth may also make the maxilla—the area around your cheekbones and nose—more prominent. It’s important to note that many popular techniques for getting facial forward growth won’t actually change the shape of the underlying bone structure. [1]
    • Forward facial growth is a popular topic in online looksmaxxing communities. Techniques for obtaining forward facial growth have been popularized by looksmaxxing influencers like Jordan Wood, Baby Stickley, and Oscar Patel.
    • While many of the techniques for forward facial growth are unproven, medical interventions like dental appliances or orthognathic surgery can be effective at correcting an underdeveloped jaw. This might move your lower jaw forward, although it won’t actually “grow” unless your body is still growing. [2]
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Section 2 of 6:

Exploring Techniques for Facial Forward Growth

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  1. 1
    Mewing Mewing is one of the most popular techniques in online looksmaxxing communities. To do it, close your mouth, then flatten your tongue and press it against the roof of your mouth. Keep your tongue pushed firmly into the roof of your mouth for 2–3 minutes, then repeat with moderate pressure for another 2–3 minutes. Do this several times a day. [3]
    • Does it work? Mewing can make your jaw look more defined in pictures, but there’s no scientific evidence that proves it can actually lead to facial forward growth. [4]
    • Are there any risks? In some cases, it could lead to more serious problems like crooked teeth, speech issues, and jaw pain.
  2. 2
    Chewing Some looksmaxxing influencers claim that chewing hard items like carrots or facial fitness gum can help with facial forward growth. According to the claim, this gives you a facial workout that can make your jaw look wider and more defined. [5]
    • Does it work? Chewing hard gum or other objects could help build up your masseter muscles—the muscles on the outside of your jaw—which might make your jaw look wider or sharper. But it’s unlikely to actually cause your facial bones to grow forward.
    • Are there any risks? Excessive chewing can lead to jaw pain or swelling, and some facial fitness gums may contain ingredients like caffeine.
  3. 3
    Thumb Pulling/Thumb Pushing Looksmaxxing influencers often recommend techniques like thumb-pulling and thumb-pushing. To thumb-pull, place your thumbs on the front part of your palate, behind your front teeth, and pull forward and upward for 10–60 minutes. To thumb-push, place your thumbs on the back part of your palate, near your molars, and apply upward and outward pressure for the same amount of time. [6]
    • Does it work? These motions try to recreate the pressure created by orthodontic devices, but there’s no evidence that thumb-pulling or thumb-pushing actually works to create forward facial growth. [7]
    • Are there any risks? Thumb-pulling and thumb-pushing may risk moving your teeth out of place or causing damage to the tissue of your upper mouth.
  4. 4
    Improving Forward Head Posture Forward head posture (FHP), also called text neck, is when your head rests too far forward. It’s the result of chronic poor posture, often from spending too much time bent over a device or sitting slouched in front of a computer. This posture can lead to backwards pressure on the lower jaw, making it look retracted. [8] To improve your forward head posture , practice sitting or standing with your back straight and shoulders back, rather than hunched or curled forward.
    • Does it work? If your lower jaw and chin appear to be receding because of forward head posture, intentionally correcting your posture may help the jaw look more defined.
    • Are there any risks? Improving your posture doesn’t have any health risks. And fortunately, there’s no evidence that poor posture leads to permanent physical changes—even in growing children. [9]
  5. 5
    Chin Tuck Exercises To do a chin tuck, sit straight up, then move your head straight backward without lowering your chin. This will tuck your chin into your neck. [10]
    • Does it work? This exercise can help you correct forward head posture, which could decrease tension on your lower jaw that causes it to look recessed. However, it will not lead to growth in your facial bones.
    • Are there any risks? This is a gentle stretch that’s unlikely to carry risks, but to be safe, talk to your doctor if you have a history of neck pain or injuries.
  6. 6
    Neck Curl Exercises Lie on your back on the floor or another flat surface. Press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, then roll your chin forward toward your chest without lifting your back off the floor. Lower back down to the floor in a controlled motion. [11]
    • Does it work? While neck curl exercises may help strengthen the neck and correct forward head posture, there’s no evidence that they’ll lead to facial forward growth. [12]
    • Are there any risks? This is a generally safe, exercise, but performing it too quickly could strain your neck. [13]
  7. 7
    Collarbone Back-Up Exercise To perform a collarbone back-up, sit or stand with your back straight and your shoulders back and relaxed. Without moving your back, shift your neck backward, then push your head forward. [14]
    • Does it work? Like other jawline exercises, there’s no evidence that collarbone back-ups will actually lead to facial forward growth. [15]
    • Are there any risks? The risks from performing this stretch are minimal.
  8. 8
    Tongue Twisters Press your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth like you’re mewing, then make a humming noise. Do that for about 10–15 seconds, then relax. Repeat this several times a day.
    • Does it work? Like mewing and other jawline exercises, there’s no evidence that this will lead to facial forward growth.
    • Are there any risks? If you’re only doing this for a few seconds at a time, you’re probably not going to see any difference—positive or negative. But holding this pose for a prolonged period could cause teeth alignment or speech issues.
  9. 9
    Jawbone Restorer Massage To do the jawbone restorer massage, rest your fingers on each side of your face near your temples. Then, run your thumbs from under your chin all the way up to your ear. Repeat several times. [16]
    • Does it work? There’s no evidence that massaging your face will lead to facial forward growth.
    • Are there any risks? While this probably isn’t very effective, there’s no risk in massaging your face, and it will probably feel nice.
  10. 10
    Orthodontic Devices If your lower jaw is positioned too far back or your upper jaw is positioned too far forward, an orthodontist may recommend certain dental appliances to help correct the positioning. These may be most effective if you’re younger than 18–20 since your bones are still growing. [17] Orthodontic devices may include:
    • Braces: In some cases, a receding lower jaw may be caused by malocclusion, or the teeth not aligning properly. Braces may help correct this issue on their own, or they may be used in combination with surgery. [18]
    • Face mask: A device that applies forward and downward pressure on the lower jaw (maxilla), which may shift it forward by 1–3 mm or more. [19]
    • Herbst appliance: An appliance that helps push the lower jaw forward. [20]
    • Maxillary skeletal expander (MSE): An appliance that helps widen the upper palate to make room for the lower jaw to come forward.
  11. 11
    Orthognathic Surgery If your bottom jaw is significantly underdeveloped, your orthodontist may recommend you to a maxillofacial surgeon for orthognathic surgery. This is a type of surgery that helps align crooked or uneven jaws. [21]
    • Orthognathic surgery is usually done after you’re finished growing—usually after the age of 18 for females and 21 for males.
    • This is a fairly serious surgery, so it will likely only be recommended if your jaw alignment has a significant impact on your appearance or causes issues with things like biting, chewing, breathing, swallowing, closing your mouth, or speaking.
    • You may need to wear braces or another orthodontic device for a year or more to prepare for the surgery.
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Section 3 of 6:

Can you really get forward facial growth?

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  1. Medical interventions are the only reliable way to get forward facial growth. Exercises and postural changes may make the jawline look more defined, but there won’t actually be any change to the underlying bone structure. If you’re concerned that your upper or lower jaw isn’t developing normally, it’s best to talk to an orthodontist. [22]
    • Be cautious of seemingly convincing before-and-after photos that make it seem like exercises and gums help with forward facial growth. Some of these photos use intentionally deceiving angles (sometimes called “angle frauding”), and others use different people in the photos to make it seem like there was a drastic change.
Section 4 of 6:

Benefits of Forward Facial Growth

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  1. Forward facial growth may alleviate symptoms of an uneven jaw. If your upper and lower jaws are significantly out of alignment, you may experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, eating, or speaking. In that case, correcting the misalignment may have benefits like:
    • Improving breathing and/or reduced snoring and sleep apnea
    • Having a better lip seal
    • Improving chewing
    • Reducing tooth grinding or wear on teeth
    • Correcting misaligned teeth
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Section 5 of 6:

Signs of Underdeveloped Forward Facial Growth

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  1. This means that your teeth don’t sit together properly, causing your jaws to be out of alignment. Signs of malocclusion include: [23]
    • Overbite or underbite
    • Facial asymmetry
    • Crowded teeth
    • High, narrow palate resulting from prolonged thumb sucking or bottle/pacifier use
    • Discomfort while eating
    • Speech difficulties
Section 6 of 6:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Can adults get forward facial growth? Correcting a misaligned jaw may be easier in children and adolescents who are still growing. But for adults who want to correct a misaligned jaw, surgery may be a viable option. [24]
  2. 2
    Is forward facial growth genetic? Yes—for the most part, the shape of your jaw and the alignment of your teeth is based on genetics. However, environmental factors like dental trauma, thumb sucking, or prolonged pacifier use may play a part as well. [25]
  3. 3
    Is forward facial growth attractive? Attractiveness is really subjective. Some people do find a defined jaw to be an attractive feature, but it’s not the only characteristic that makes someone look good.
  4. 4
    How do you grow your maxilla forward without surgery? Orthodontic devices can be a reliable way to correct a misaligned maxilla without surgery. However, in cases where one or both jaws are severely underdeveloped, surgery is often required to correct the issue. [26]
  5. 5
    Can facial forward growth really help? If an underdeveloped jaw causes you issues like sleep apnea, tooth pain, or speech issues, correcting a misalignment may help. This is usually done through orthodontic appliances or orthognathic surgery.
  6. 6
    Do any foods promote facial forward growth in puberty? No, the foods you eat don’t have an impact on facial forward growth in puberty or any other time. The shape of your jaw and alignment of your teeth is largely genetic.
  7. 7
    When does forward facial growth occur? Forward facial growth typically occurs during puberty. In females, noticeable growth usually stops around ages 14–15, and in males, it’s usually around 16–17. [27] However, individual growth patterns can vary, and facial forward growth may occur at any time until a person stops growing. [28]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22872-prognathism
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/jaw-surgery/about/pac-20384990
      3. ↑ https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/what-is-mewing
      4. ↑ https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/is-mewing-bad-for-you/
      5. ↑ https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/experts-expose-legitimacy-of-facial-fitness-gum/
      6. ↑ https://www.amongmen.com/health-fitness/thumbpulling-can-your-thumbs-help-shape-a-better-jawline/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/Bh8PhfaSBL0?t=3
      8. ↑ https://www.physio-pedia.com/Forward_Head_Posture
      9. ↑ https://www.choa.org/parent-resources/orthopedics/posture-and-scoliosis-in-kids
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/7rnlAVhAK-8?t=5
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/aM657RnN9XE?t=5
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/aM657RnN9XE?t=26
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/oIKMu0lctYk?t=7
      6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/F6R-MMT0tB8?t=26
      8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2309666/
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22872-prognathism
      10. ↑ https://ohi-s.com/articles-videos/3783/
      11. ↑ https://lsortho.com/blog/2019/1/9/types-of-appliances
      12. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/jaw-surgery/about/pac-20384990
      13. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout
      14. ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/malocclusion-of-teeth
      15. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/jaw-surgery/about/pac-20384990
      16. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22010-malocclusion
      17. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/jaw-surgery/about/pac-20384990v
      18. ↑ https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/publications/archives/darwis2-03.pdf
      19. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0002941671900856

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