Another day, another TikTok trend. If you’re active on social media, you’ve probably seen influencers chewing on rock-hard gum claiming that it’s a workout for the face and neck muscles and creates a more defined jawline.
But does so-called facial fitness gum work or is it just a gimmick? That’s what our Brooklyn orthodontist Dr. Ankush Khanna will be covering in this post.
What is Facial Fitness Gum?
Facial gum, often referred to as facial fitness gum, and mastic gum are two wellness products heavily marketed on social media.
Mastic gum is made from the resin of a tree found in the Mediterranean. Mastic has been used for centuries¹ as a remedy for an upset stomach and other gastric issues, and some evidence² suggests it may have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, the mastic chewing gum you see in Instagram ads is billed as a way to tone facial muscles and refine the jaw.
The ingredients in facial fitness gums vary depending on the brand but the principle behind it is the same: it’s really hard gum designed to enhance facial aesthetics. Some claim they work as many as 80 muscles in the face, while others have added ingredients like vitamins and caffeine.
Can Chewing Gum Change Your Face Shape?
People who suffer from severe, chronic bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) can actually experience slight changes in face shape. This is because the habit strengthens the masseter muscles in the jaw, potentially making the jawline look slightly more prominent.
Okay, but is chewing gum good for your jawline? Does chewing gum reduce facial fat? The ADA’s position is that, “chewing tougher gum may strengthen the masseter muscles, leading to a squarer or wider face shape without improving the undersurface of the jawline.”³
What About Chewing Super Hard Gum for the Jawline?
One of the studies oft cited by the makers of jawline gum is this 2019 study conducted by researchers at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The study looked at the effects of a hard food diet on the jawbones of mice.
“Our data indicate that masticatory force can prompt changes in facial structure by modulating the function of cells that regulate bone reconstruction,” says co-author Tomoki Nakashima. “This discovery — that increased chewing itself can directly change the shape of the jawbone — could facilitate the development of treatments for skeletal abnormalities, such as jaw deformities.”⁴
Hats off to the scientists behind the study but it doesn’t translate when applied to facial fitness gums. Here are some key problems with equating the two:
- Mice aren’t humans.
- Yes, prolonged, consistent force causes bone remodeling and facial changes. In fact, it’s the entire basis of orthodontic treatment. Braces and clear aligners like Spark® and Invisalign® exert steady, controlled force that causes the bone to break down, allowing the teeth to move where we direct them.⁵ We can even guide jaw growth in childhood with phase 1 appliances. In adults, however, you can’t generally change the jawline or facial structure without surgery.So, theoretically, yes, someone who stuck to a hard-food diet for their entire life could potentially have a sturdier jaw in adulthood. Whether chewing hard stuff also leads to an ideal face shape would depend on a ton of other factors, including genetics.Based on that, it’s clear, changing your facial structure by chewing hard gum would take a serious commitment, probably starting at birth. Even then, the changes would be subtle.
As for your oral health and safety…
Chewing hard gum for hours a day puts you at risk of cracking a tooth or damaging a dental restoration. It can also cause jaw pain, headaches, and maybe even a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in extreme cases.
What’s the Best Way to Achieve a Defined Jawline?
If you want to enhance your jawline, book a consultation with a professional like a certified specialist in orthodontics. As an expert in dental and facial anatomy, an orthodontist can provide guidance tailored to your needs.
Depending on your case, properly aligning the teeth and jaw with braces or Spark Aligner treatment could give you the appearance of a more defined jawline by making your face look more symmetrical. Aligning the teeth also provides support for the lips and skin around the mouth, providing a little lift for an anti-aging effect.
To substantially change the jawline and face shape, treatment would have to start in childhood. For adults, corrective jaw surgery combined with orthodontic treatment (surgical orthodontics) or cosmetic surgery are the only options for truly altering the facial structure. For some, non-surgical cosmetic solutions like facial fillers could offer a temporary boost.
The Bottom Line
There isn’t evidence to support that facial fitness gum or mastic gum work to enhance the jawline. If chewing gum for the jawline does help in any way, it would require an extreme commitment to chewing and would be due to building up the jaw muscles rather than altering the actual bone structure.
While the idea of facial fitness gum may be appealing, it’s important to approach these kinds of trends with a healthy dose of skepticism. No OTC product will give you the chiseled jawline of your dreams overnight—or even in a year.
When it comes to your health, it’s always better to rely on proven methods and see a professional for tailored treatment.
Want to Chat About Your Jawline? Book a Complimentary Consultation With Dr. Khanna
If you’re interested in getting a custom smile designed to enhance your facial features, book a free consultation at Fresh Orthodontics in Park Slope. Dr. Khanna will evaluate your teeth and jaw and provide personalized treatment recommendations to help you boost your facial aesthetics and oral health safely and effectively.
Resources:
- Shmuely H, Domniz N, Yahav J. Non-pharmacological treatment of Helicobacter pylori. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2016;7(2):171-178. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.171
- Paraschos S, Mitakou S, Skaltsounis AL. Chios gum mastic: A review of its biological activities. Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(14):2292-2302. doi:10.2174/092986712800229014
- Experts expose the legitimacy of facial-fitness gum. ADA Morning Huddle. https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/experts-expose-legitimacy-of-facial-fitness-gum/
- Inoue, M., Ono, T., Kameo, Y. et al. Forceful mastication activates osteocytes and builds a stout jawbone. Sci Rep 9, 4404 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40463-3
- Li, Yina, Jacox, Laura A., et al. Orthodontic tooth movement: The biology and clinical implications. KJMS. 2018;34:207-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjms.2018.01.007
