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The jaw is any opposable articulated composition at the opening of the mouth. It is typically used for taking and handling food. However, “jaws” is also the term used to refer to the whole structure that opens and closes the mouth.
In mammals, the jaws consist of the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). In the ape, there is a support to the lower jaw bone called the simian shelf.
In the development of the mammalian jaw, two of the bones of the jaw composition (the articular bone of the lower jaw, and quadrate) decreased in size and joined into the ear. This explains why mammals present little or no cranial kinesis, and the mandible is connected to the temporal bone by the temporomandibular joints.
Overview
Jaws work by moving in opposition to each other, which allows you to bite, chew, and handle food.
The mandible consists of a horizontal arch, which contains the teeth and includes blood vessels, and nerves. There are two vertical parts (rami) that produce movable hinge joints on either side of the head, linking with the glenoid cavity of the temporal bone of the skull. The rami also produce attachment for muscles necessary in chewing.
The center front of the arch is reinforced and buttressed to form a chin, a development unique to man and some of his recent predecessors.
The upper jaw is firmly and securely fastened to the nasal bones at the bridge of the nose, the ethmoid, the sphenoid bones, and to the zygomatic bone (cheekbone). The arched lower portion of the maxilla holds the upper teeth. Hence, the internal part of the bone is called the large maxillary sinus.
In infants, the upper and lower jaws are composed of two halves that fuse at the midline a few months after birth.
The Muscles in the Jaw
The jaw muscles affect the jaw when moving. That’s because there are two jaw-opening muscles (digastric and lateral pterygoid) and three jaw-closing muscles (temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid).
The primary functional system of muscle is the motor unit. The internal structure of the jaw muscles is complex, with many displaying a complicated pennate (feather-like) internal architecture.
Meanwhile, the central nervous system (CNS) can initiate separate compartments with specific directions of muscle fibers. This indicates that all jaw muscle is capable of generating a variety of force vectors (magnitude and direction) needed for a particular jaw movement.
In the formation of any desired movement, the CNS activates motor units in different muscles. Movements are categorized as voluntary, reflex, and rhythmical.
The face motor cortex is the last producing pathway from the cerebral cortex. From here, voluntary movements like opening, closing, protrusive, and lateral jaw movements can be made.
Reflexes show pathways that assist in the refinement of a movement. And this can be used by the higher motor centers for the generation of added complex movements.
Mastication or chewing is a rhythmical action that is managed by a central pattern generator in the brainstem. The central pattern generator can be altered by sensory information from the food bolus and by voluntary commands from higher centers.
How to Build The Muscles in the Jaw?
There are about 57 muscles in our face and neck—muscles that you presumably ignore during your daily workouts.
You know how working out can impact other muscles in your body, so why not establish a facial muscle workout routine?
Training the muscles in your face will cause your jawbone to be more prominent, enhance your cheekbones, and shred off excess fat in your face. Plus, it’s the solution to looking younger.
“Your skin begins to decline at age 25,” as stated by Valeria Georgescu, the maker of FACE (Facial Activation Conscious Engagement) Val-U, “So failure to manage your facial muscles will lead them to atrophy and make your face fall.”
Researchers explain that men who have visible traits, like a lean facial composition, have better health, higher income, and are considered more attractive to the opposite sex.
But, there’s a method to beat genetics to achieve that chiseled look.
We consulted three specialists on the subject: Georgescu, Periodontist Stuart J. Froum, D.D.S., and Carolyn Cleaves, maker of Carolyn’s Facial Fitness.
Since the facial muscles are very little, they’ll react quicker. With facial exercises, clean diet, solid skincare regimen, and full-body workout cycle, you can achieve top physical appearance in less than a month.
Georgescu continues, “Your focus should be the features of your tongue because it is the one that creates all the work to help in getting your face work—kind of like your abdominal muscle.” Try her workouts for 5-10 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week.
Anti-aging Exercises
Eye Squeeze
Instructions: Draw your lips down to stiffen your face (like the scream character), then drag your lips to the right, and squeeze one eye closed for one second (in a pulsing mode) ten times. Do the same process with the other eye.
Muscles worked: The skin and muscle encircling your eye, when squeezed, are pulled. Hence, it prevents wrinkling
Duration: 3 sets of 10, rest, then perform another 3 sets of 10
Jawline Roll
Instructions: With your face contracted (as if you’re about to get hit), pucker your lips and push them to the right. Now, with your jaw tense, speak with force, “EW Charles.”
“Speaking loudly ignites the muscle faster,” Georgescu states. Just make sure to not crush your teeth.
Muscles worked: Here, you’re pulling up the muscle beneath your jawline. When you say “EW Charles,” your tongue forms a circle in your mouth and the resistance controls the jaw.
Duration: 3 sets of 10, rest, then perform another 3 sets of 10
Tongue Press
Instructions: Set your tongue on the roof of your mouth, right at the back of your teeth. Then add force by tightly pressing your tongue to fully close the roof of your mouth. Start making the noises “mh mh mh mh.”
“It’s very essential to make the humming/vibrating sound when doing these exercises because they help the muscles,” says Georgescu.
Muscles worked: This will focus on the sag underneath the chin.
Duration: 3 sets of 10, rest, then do another 3 sets of 10
Browlift
Instructions: With your hands in the form of a closed peace sign, put your fingernails (not your fingertips) over each brow and implement pressure to push your eyebrows down. Then, while driving that skin down, lightly push your brows up and down, and repeat.
Muscles worked: Here, you’re producing a weight from the pressure created by your fingernails when raising the eyes and building the muscle in your forehead.
Duration: 3 sets of 10, rest, then do another 3 sets of 10
Jawline workout
As a periodontist, Dr. Froum sees facial muscles aren’t used to their full potential—particularly those around the mouth.
Thus he contributed several isotonic exercises that target each of the muscles around your jawline.
“Be certain the muscles that aren’t being worked in each activity are relaxed,” Froum states. This is to avoid headaches and soreness.
Clenching
Instructions: Hold your teeth for 3 seconds while using a special mouthguard produced by your dentist (different from a sports mouthguard). The soft plastic body on this guard will stop TMJ problems and defend your joints.
Muscles worked: The jawline area
Duration: 3 sets of 10
OO-EE
Instructions: Open your mouth and purse your lips together without touching or showing your teeth, then say “OO, EE” in an exaggerated motion. You can also create “OO, AH” movements.
Muscles worked: This will focus on the muscles around the mouth, on the sides of the lips, and between the nose and upper lip.
Duration: 3 sets of 10
Sagging Chin
Instructions: Put your elbow on a table with your fist under your chin. Then attempt to open your mouth while using force with your wrist to create resistance. Hold then release.
Muscles worked: Underneath the chin and jawline area.
Duration: 3 sets of 10
Fresh-face workout
Cleaves states that if you perform the following exercises for 15 minutes, no more than 3-5 times a week, you’ll see development in two weeks. This is in addition to applying the right skincare products and receiving plenty of rest.
The Lower Jowl Lifter Routine
Instructions: Put your right hand on your collarbone and cover your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Then, lean your head back a couple of inches while working your facial muscles to pull the corners of your mouth back (with your bottom lip still covered.)
Hold, then release your head back down with your eyes still gazing upward. Do the same process on the other side (left hand on the collarbone).
Muscles worked: The jawline area
Duration: 4 sets of 10 (5 counts on the right and 5 on the left)
Jawbone Restorer
Instructions: Put both thumbs side-by-side at the tip of your chin with your other fingers resting below each ear. Then, drive your chin into your thumbs to generate resistance. Meanwhile, slide your thumbs along the jawbone, with average pressure, finishing in just below each ear.
Muscles worked: The jawline area
Duration: 10 times
Double Chin Slide
Instructions: Put the palm of your hand under your chin, and with your mouth closed, stretch your lower jaw down as far as you can. Then, exert force with your palm as you slide your hand along the double chin area, the jawline, and the side of the face finishing at your temples.
Muscles worked: Underneath the chin
Duration: 10 times (5 right and 5 left)
Cheek Firmer
Instruction: Put the length of your index finger under your eye along the upper cheekbones. Then open your mouth as wide as you can, curl your lips over your bottom teeth, and smile with the corners of your mouth to produce flex, then release.
Muscles worked: The jawline area
Duration: 40 times
Use of “Jawzrsize”
Experts say that the latest exercise trend where you chew on a silicone ball can give some advantages to your jaw muscles, but it also comes with possible risks.
A new facial workout product declares itself as a “noninvasive facelift” that will build up your facial muscles, shape up your jawline, and even regrow hair. But is there any evidence it does what it declares?
If you’ve been watching plenty of YouTube videos during the past few months, there’s a probability that you’ve seen the catchy ad of Jawzrsize.
Promoted by the owner and creator Brandon Harris, the product’s offering is simple: You work every muscle in your body, so why not your face?
Functionally, Jawzrsize is quite straightforward. It’s a silicone ball that forms your teeth. You simply bite down on it to work on your facial muscles, particularly the muscles in your jaw.
The company states the ball gives 40 or more pounds of resistance, depending on which model you’re using. Their prescribed routine is 20 to 30 minutes per day, every day. They say you should see transformations within 30 minutes.
Safety Considerations
When performing all of these exercises, though, it’s essential to take it slow.
Muscles along the neck and jaw are usually underdeveloped. This implies that going too fast or performing too many reps can cause neck strain.
If you experience any pain during these exercises, you should stop right away. Check your form and be sure that your neck is correctly aligned. But if the pain persists, see your doctor.
Experts advise exercising for about 30 minutes each day at least six days a week to see significant results. It’s best to start with a couple of minutes a day and work your way up.
It demands time to improve these muscles — and even more, time to see outcomes. If you’re too strenuous in these exercises, you could damage the bone or cushioning cartilage in the jaw joints, resulting in pain and jaw injuries.
If you’re already encountering jaw pain, check with a healthcare specialist or a neuromuscular dentist to see if these workouts are right for you.
Other Things You Can Do
Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise go a long way in making you look younger. If you sense that weight gain is changing the shape of your jawline, making lifestyle modifications can help.
Final Thoughts
While facial workouts can be very helpful in maintaining your jawline sharper, they aren’t a fix-all. To look and feel healthy, you’ll also be required to perform good eating habits and regular exercise.
