Part 3: Jaws - There Is More to This Than a Defined Jawline

What interests me about this conversation is that our jaws have so much to do with how we function. Chewing, speaking, breathing and sleep all belong in the discussion.

The book Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic, by orthodontist Sandra Kahn and biologist Paul R. Ehrlich, explores that connection. The authors argue that modern diets and oral habits can affect how our jaws develop, with implications for crowded teeth, breathing and sleep.

That gets my attention, especially the sleep piece. But it doesn’t mean every idea in the book is settled science or that every jaw exercise being sold online works.

A child’s developing face is different from an adult’s face. What influences growth in childhood doesn’t prove that chewing on a resistance gadget will reshape our jawbones as adults.

Our faces can look different when puffiness, muscle or skin changes. That is different from changing the bones or having professional dental treatment to address tooth position and bite.

I would be careful about aggressive jaw workouts. Gentle exercises recommended by a clinician can help certain jaw problems, but repeatedly biting hard on a device is another matter. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends reducing clenching and gum chewing when managing jaw disorders. If your jaw hurts, locks or clicks painfully, speak with your dentist first.

And if you’re snoring or concerned about your breathing at night, talk to your doctor. A sharper jawline doesn’t tell you whether you’re sleeping or breathing better.

For me, it comes back to knowing what I’m trying to improve. Less puffiness? A more relaxed expression? Better sleep? Those are different goals.

I’m curious about all of it. I just want to understand what works before adding one more thing to my life.

Sources

● Facial gua sha: https://lnkd.in/g6aCgAGR
● Massage trial: https://lnkd.in/gkdxKVaj
● Facial exercise study: https://lnkd.in/gQHN4Rmx
● Systematic review: https://lnkd.in/g8EgyiUF
● FaceGym brand descriptions: https://lnkd.in/ghGNu6sf
● Stanford discussion of Jaws: https://lnkd.in/g7nyApjK
● Jaw disorder guidance: https://lnkd.in/gbg4hYJr