A sharp, defined jawline is a desired physical trait for many. Recently, there has been a popular trend online about using chewing gum to build a stronger, better-looking jawline. It is claimed that chewing gum can help sculpt the jaw muscles, contributing to the appearance of a better jawline. While it is true that chewing gum can help exercise the facial muscles and somewhat build your jaw, it is not an effective way to sculpt a strong jawline. In this article, we will discuss the effectiveness of chewing gum, what it can and cannot do, the risks and side effects associated with it, and recommendations on how to make it more effective.
Can chewing gum help build a better jawline?
Chewing gum can potentially help develop a better jawline, as it sculpts the jaw muscles, contributing to the appearance of the jawline. However, this won’t be in any extremely noticeable amounts. Just like when you exercise any part of the body when you chew gum consistently and properly, it can help build up your jaw muscles and make them appear more defined.
Three muscles in the jaw area can be developed by chewing gum, namely the masseter muscle (closes the mouth), temporalis muscle (elevates the mandible), and the medial pterygoid muscle (pulls the jaw to the side). Chewing gum can potentially help strengthen these muscles. The masseter muscle is the jaw muscle that is most affected by gum chewing. This slab of muscle attaches from the corner of your jaw and up to your cheekbone and is responsible for closing your jaw when you chew.
The constant gum chewing provides the masseter muscle stimulation and exercise, resulting in increased muscle size, known as hypertrophy. The increase in the masseter’s size, although extremely small, can contribute to the jaw’s better-looking appearance. To maximize the benefits of gum chewing, it is recommended to buy sugar-free gum and chew it for as long as possible, replacing the piece once the flavor runs out. And just like any exercise, muscle training through chewing gum should be done in moderation to avoid overworking the jaw muscles, which leads to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This is a condition that affects the hinge joint connecting the jawbone to the skull.
What Chewing Gum Won’t Do to Your Jaw
Although gum chewing can help develop your jaw muscles, it is important to note what it cannot do. Chewing gum won’t change the actual bone structure of your mandible (lower jaw), which is what most people are trying to do when they want to improve their jawlines. Truthfully, if you’re past puberty, your jaw and skull are no longer growing, and the shape of your jawbone is set. Therefore, gum chewing will only bulk out the mastication muscles and won’t change the bone shape.
Moreover, chewing gum is not even the most important thing someone can do to get a better jawline. Rather, many people just use it as an easy solution. One of the biggest reasons that people’s jawlines do not look as sharp as they want is due to a layer of fat around the chin. Chewing on gum alone cannot eliminate this fat; to do so, a healthy diet and regular exercise should be practiced. Cardio exercises are the best type of exercise for reducing fat and increasing your cardiovascular health. Fat can be reduced with regular cardio exercises like running, biking, swimming, and jumping rope. People should be getting at least 20 minutes of cardio a day for their health anyways!
Other Options to Improve Your Jawline
There are other options that people can use if they want to improve their jawline. However, while they improve the jawline’s appearance, they are also more expensive and less natural solutions. And like all solutions of this type, they cost money and have unintended consequences. Therefore, we do not recommend that people use these options unless absolutely necessary. For purely informational purposes, these options include:
Non-Surgical Options:
- Botox and Fillers: Botox and fillers are injectable treatments that can help shape your jawline. They work by filling in the areas of your face where you want to add definition and volume. These options are temporary and will require regular touch-ups.
- Kybella (Deoxycholic Acid): Kybella is an injectable treatment that targets moderate to severe fat below the chin. It is a synthetic version of acid found in the body that helps break down and absorb fats.
- Thread Lifts: Thread lifts are a type of non-surgical facelift that can help improve the appearance of your jawline. The threads are inserted under the skin and pull up the slack as they are pulled tight. This provides an instant lift to your face and jawline.
Surgical Options:
- Chin Augmentation: Chin augmentation is a surgical procedure used to reshape the chin. The surgeon will make an incision in the skin and then insert an implant underneath.
- Liposuction: Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat from the face. During the procedure, a thin tube called a cannula is inserted into the skin and used to suction away fat cells.
- Facelift: Facelifts can improve sagging skin and wrinkles on the face. During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in front of or behind your ears and then tighten facial muscles and remove excess skin.
- Fat Grafting: Fat grafting is a surgical procedure where fat is taken from another area of the body and used to fill in areas on the face. This can give the face a more defined jawline.
- Orthognathic Surgery: This is a surgical procedure used to reshape the bones of the face. It can be used to correct jaw alignment or improve facial symmetry and can result in a more defined jawline.
It’s important to consult with a professional before making any cosmetic changes to your appearance, whether surgical or non-surgical, to ensure that you avoid complications and achieve your desired results.
Conclusion
Chewing gum might help bulk up the muscles used for chewing, but it won’t improve a person’s jawline. To get an improved jawline, people should focus on exercising and eating healthy. If you do decide to chew gum to build your jawline, to maximize the benefits, it is recommended to chew sugar-free gum for as long as possible. However, excessive gum chewing can lead to TMD, so moderation is key. In extreme cases, and being fully aware of the risks of the available non-surgical and surgical procedures, these options can help improve a person’s jawline. Ultimately, it is important to speak with a doctor or aesthetician before making any cosmetic changes to ensure that your desired results are achieved safely.
Disclaimer
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No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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