We're thrilled to have Dr. Shehab, from Australia, as our special guest for our upcoming YouTube stream. He will be discussing the topic of "mewing," and how it is not a complete approach to facial development. Dr. Shehab will delve into the three key points, including swallowing and proper tongue posture, that should be taken into consideration for optimal results. Join us as we introduce Dr. Shehab and learn more about this exciting topic.
I am Dr. Shehab Faragallah, a holistic dentist with extensive experience in treating children for oral-facial muscular imbalances. This includes positioning the tongue and assisting in facial development. I want to start by saying that "mewing" is a fantastic technique for helping people understand proper tongue position and breathing. However, I believe it is not a complete approach. One important aspect that needs to be addressed is the act of swallowing. When we swallow, the tongue should be the primary muscle used. I invite those watching to practice this technique while drinking something. Additionally, there are other points that should also be taken into consideration for optimal results.
If you want to try swallowing without any movement in your facial muscles, go ahead and give it a try. As demonstrated, it is possible to swallow without using your face muscles. This is important to note because using these muscles while swallowing can be a habit developed during childhood when transitioning to eating solid food. In order to prevent dribbling or dropping food, other muscles may become involved in the swallowing process. This habit should be broken as it can cause crooked teeth by pulling and squeezing against them. When the tongue is used correctly during swallowing, teeth are able to move into their correct position and expand.
It is also important to note that some people may have developed bad habits such as swallowing sideways, pulling back or activating the lower muscle while swallowing. These habits can be observed by observing a person while they swallow. These habits should be corrected as they may occur frequently, and it is important to have proper muscle movement during swallowing for optimal oral health. Swallowing is an important process that is often overlooked. However, there are many different variations that can cause multiple bad swallows. One common problem is when the tongue is thrust forward during swallowing, causing it to go between the teeth. This can be seen more frequently in children. To prevent this, the tongue should be behind the front teeth on the top and elevated, allowing it to do all the work.
Another point to consider is the way in which we drink. Some people may prefer using a straw or water bottle, while others may prefer to drink directly from a glass or cup. The way in which we drink can also affect the way we swallow. For example, if we drink from a straw or water bottle, we may activate less of our swallowing muscles. On the other hand, if we drink directly from a glass or cup, we may activate more of our swallowing muscles. Additionally, cultural differences may also play a role in the way we drink and swallow. For example, in India, people may drink in a different way than in other countries. Overall, it is important to be aware of the different variations that can cause multiple bad swallows and to consider the way we drink as well.
Although it can be difficult, the idea is to avoid touching and instead focus on using muscle control for a more hygienic approach. However, if you are well-trained and have mastered muscle control, occasionally drinking from a bottle should not be a problem. It's important to note that exercises to improve the range of motion of the jaw can be beneficial for overall health, but it's important to be mindful of any existing jaw issues. Over-opening the jaw can cause problems such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In the past, people had more facial development and could open their mouths wider, but today that's not as common. It's important to practice opening the jaw, but if you have any issues, it's best to avoid them as they can exacerbate the problem. Additionally, if the jaw disc slips out of place, it can cause serious problems that may require treatment.
It's a bit concerning to me when I see eating shows on YouTube, known as Mukbang, where people eat large amounts of food and use too much muscle in their jaw. I don't recommend doing that. In the past, people would spend a significant amount of time eating and chewing their food, but now we tend to eat quickly and chew less. This can lead to problems with the development of our jaw muscles and bones. It's important to chew our food properly, around 20 times before swallowing, but the problem is that food is often too soft and easy to swallow. In Japan, where I am currently, we were taught to chew at least 10 times before swallowing. It's harder to do this now. In addition to proper chewing, it's also important to relax while swallowing, but it's important to be mindful not to make it a habit as it can lead to other problems such as flaring of the upper front teeth.
There are two types of swallowing: drinking, which involves physically consuming liquid or other substances, and swallowing with the mouth closed. A balance must be struck between creating a short filter and maintaining a lip seal, as a short filter can make it difficult to bring the lips together, leading to mouth breathing and potential issues such as dry mouth, staining of the teeth, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea. In cases of chronic mouth breathing, the upper front teeth may become dehydrated and develop a yellow line, and the philtrum may shorten, requiring stretching to correct. We attempted to reduce the philtrum over six months, and while a short-term philtrum may be desirable for aesthetics, it is important to maintain a lip seal while resting the face. To improve the appearance of the lips, it is helpful to exercise them during the day. When drinking, it is normal to open the mouth, but when resting the face, it is important to keep the lips closed and maintain a lip seal. The yellow line on the front teeth can indicate chronic mouth breathing during sleep, which can have negative effects on overall health including changes in blood gases and hormones. It is important to address this issue to improve both aesthetics and health.
There are a variety of physiological changes that occur when mouth breathing, including issues related to aesthetics, physical health, and mental well-being. It is important to take this issue seriously, especially if you are interested in teeth whitening, as chronic mouth breathing can lead to yellowing of the teeth. This issue is becoming more common, even among actors and athletes, and can lead to sleep disturbances and other health problems as one age. One way to improve the condition is to practice swallowing with no movement and with the mouth open, and checking to see if any water comes out when tilting the head.
Swallowing correctly is important for overall health, and it is important to ensure that the tongue is doing all the work during the swallow. To practice this, try swallowing a small amount of water with your mouth open and your head straight, and then tilting your head forward to check if any water comes out. This exercise helps activate the correct muscles for swallowing and ensures that the tongue is doing its job correctly. It is also important to not use other muscles such as the cheeks to assist in the swallow. Additionally, it is important to maintain a relaxed neck during the swallow, as it is often connected to the orofacial musculature. This is something that should be practiced not only with water but with all food.
It is possible that the tongue can be stretched to improve one's ability to mew, but it is not clear if this is a common practice or if it is effective. Some people may develop the habit of mewing from a young age, while others may develop it later in life due to certain circumstances such as allergies. Taping the mouth during sleep can be an effective way to revert back to nasal breathing, but it is important to not overuse it and to also practice without the tape at times to maintain the natural tension of the lips. Different types of tape may work better for different people, and it is important to experiment with different types to find what works best.
It's important to note that proper swallowing technique, as well as proper breathing, are crucial for overall health and well-being. Additionally, it's important to monitor your sleeping habits and ensure that you are getting enough hydration throughout the day. Monitoring your mouth and saliva in the morning can also provide insight into your breathing and swallowing habits during the night. And it is important to note that the technique of taping your mouth while sleeping should be done with care and under the guidance of a professional. It is also important to take breaks from taping to allow the muscle to regain its natural tension.
Make sure that the back of the tongue is raised and the sides are not hanging over the teeth. This can be achieved by using a technique called the Myospots, which are small dissolvable spots that are placed on the inside of the gums on the first molar. The idea is that the tongue should not go beyond the spot, and it should dissolve after 45 minutes. This helps train the tongue to stay in the correct position. Another technique that can be used is the bite test, where you gently bite down to see if your tongue is catching on the side, indicating that it is hanging over the teeth. It is possible to train yourself to habitually elevate the front and back of the tongue, but it requires conscious training and awareness.
