Extractions are not necessary because they operate from the false premise that the human jaw currently doesn't have enough room to house 32 teeth. But that doesn't hold up. Bad posture creates this problem. So, good posture can fix it. It isn't something we "evolved" but rather bad habits we took on in our day to day life.

Extractions narrow the palate and cause breathing problems. Don't do them. There is no health benefit to them. They can also cause midface deficiency if performed on the maxilla. This makes you look much older than lessens your eye support and cheekbone prominence 

I am entirely against orthodontic treatment with extractions. It causes too many complications and doesn't fix the actual problem of bad or posture. You end up with a narrow intermolar width and possibly breathing issues. 

I am not a medical professional so I can't advise what to do, but I can certainly advise what to NOT do. And extractions should mostly never be done. You will gain nothing. You have been warned. 

DON'T GET EXTRACTIONS!!! As someone currently spending a lot of time, pain and money to reverse unnecessary extractions, please please please don't extract healthy teeth!

Start here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvqndYJRniI

Thank you guys so much. I have been mewing all day naturally (I've been using a subliminal audio clip to develop the habit and I think it has helped quite a lot surprisingly) and my jaw/teeth have been hurting. It was difficult to chew french fries and that is not a result of my braces being tightened. Is this a good thing? Also, when I have correct oral posture, my face looks more aligned and balanced. The difference is as drastic as when you improve your body posture. It feels as if my left jaw (which I believe is my weaker side in terms of development) is typically clenched more tightly, although I try NOT to clench either side at all times. I hope I can cancel my braces treatment at this point as I do not want extractions based on Mew's teachings and your guys' responses. Is it possible and what should I tell my orthodontist? Thanks again, very helpful guys.

@mewtastic link the clip please

About two days ago, I found this one and I used it for about a day and it helped me develop the tongue posture habit but it did cause pain on both sides of my jaw when I bit even slightly. I did some research and found out that the user who made this video sometimes adds negative, disturbing affirmations to their subliminal audios so I decided to just stop using their channel altogether. Here is the link for that one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vZPgey7eJs&t=258s&index=2&list=PLNl7SMk03sy2Iwt401YrRiPNkQZ6KEln_

I then switched to this one because the user is apparently more trusted in the subliminal community. I've used it quite a lot for the day and it did cause pain as well when biting down albeit much less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJV9hBjTnYk&t=3s&list=PLNl7SMk03sy03uk9MZE2ALYrXajsnhhjr&index=4

I recently found this one in the middle of yesterday and incorporated it into my subliminal playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pWfl4FA11A&list=PLNl7SMk03sy03uk9MZE2ALYrXajsnhhjr&index=5

Just to be clear, I don't have long-term experience using subliminal audios and I've never even heard of it until like two days ago when I began trying to develop the tongue posture habit. I'm still not sure if feeling pain on both sides is even a good thing, but it seems to be so based on the experience of some other users who have had success. The weird thing, though, is that I feel absolutely no pain in my lower and upper front teeth. My lower front teeth are pretty straight, as well as my upper front teeth; however, as I've stated, I have an upper midline discrepancy towards the left. Hope this helps.

It is possible to cancel any treatment.  You are paying for it; you are free to stop at any time for any reason. 

Yeah, I know. I'm just not sure if I'll have to continue paying or not because my financial contract doesn't mention anything about cancellation. Also, I'm not sure if I should be honest about the reason for ending treatment or simply make up a white lie. It seems a bit awkward to tell your orthodontist that you've found an entirely better and completely natural way to align your teeth, bite, and overall face. I wish I had never started treatment tbh. I waited almost a year to even begin, and the only reason I didn't try orthotropic methods at first was that the videos would often imply that there is little or significantly less hope for adults to change. Thanks for the response btw. :)

Posted by: mewtastic

Yeah, I know. I'm just not sure if I'll have to continue paying or not because my financial contract doesn't mention anything about cancellation. Also, I'm not sure if I should be honest about the reason for ending treatment or simply make up a white lie. It seems a bit awkward to tell your orthodontist that you've found an entirely better and completely natural way to align your teeth, bite, and overall face. I wish I had never started treatment tbh. I waited almost a year to even begin, and the only reason I didn't try orthotropic methods at first was that the videos would often imply that there is little or significantly less hope for adults to change. Thanks for the response btw. :)

I would if I were you say that you would rather not get teeth extracted to move forward. If they cannot understand this then they can send you on your way IMO. Did your contract specify anything regarding stopping treatment? Read it over 

@EddieMoney I agree with you, that's what I was thinking of telling him as well. I did read the contract a few times but there is nothing directly stated about cancellation (which actually may be a good thing?). The binding statement, however, reads: "I, ___, responsible for ___ have chosen to agree to pay using the terms of OPTION _. I authorize....to process the payment on behalf of (Orthodontist office) according to the amount and date indicated in this contract." 

What do you think this means exactly? It isn't clear to me, honestly. I'm going to wait a bit before contacting them because of two reasons: 

1. I would like to wait for more input and do a bit more research although I am almost entirely confident about what I truly want to do (end my treatment). I posted on reddit also because I found an orthotropics subreddit on there that I didn't know about. 

2. I would also like to wait a while to see if the oral posture and swallowing technique has any noticeable effect on my teeth and appearance. I found a post where a girl's teeth made a drastic change in just one month. It became much straighter, her midline moved to a more natural position, and her facial symmetry improved. I was shocked by that and it gave me quite a lot of hope. Since I'm using subliminals quite often, I want to see just how quick I can get results safely.

I want to wait as long as possible before contacting them just to make sure. Thanks for the consistent help my friend.

@mewtastic, maybe this will help your research (Twin Study: one of the twins got his teeth extracted, while the other went to John Mew for treatment):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkURkQX7xUY

I know they were children when they started treatment, but I've also seen changes in adults. 

And you should have the right to cancel treatment whenever you have/want to. Better to have an awkward moment, than trying to correct everything later at a bigger price.

And an important point, don't focus just on your tongue, try to bring your whole body in balance too. Mike Mew says that himself, good tongue posture doesn't bring anything if the body isn't alligned.

@Ayla31 Thank you. I've seen a bit about the twin study, but I'll definitely check out that video. I will definitely cancel my treatment at this point. I'm just afraid of possibly losing so much money, but I agree with you. I'm willing to pay it out if that's the only option at this point. Lastly, I am trying to do three things consistently: keep tongue properly at palate, bite down lightly, and swallow correctly whenever there is excess saliva or if I want to reposition my tongue. Would that be enough? Keep in mind, my teeth are rather straight in the front (saw one of Mike Mew's video saying sucking thumb in a certain way MAY cause this!), the bottom is just slightly crowded and teeth can't properly get out (although they're almost out). 

@mewtastic, No problem, I find it fascinating how they look like as adults.

For some people that would be enough, I suppose, but not for me. I would recommend you to identify with your body awareness, whether you have tension in your muscles, to be able to attain balance (many people call this good posture, but that sounds a little bit stiff to me...whatever works for everyone). For example, if you are chronically contracting/tensing your tongue, it will be very difficult to let it rest on your palate..for there are muscles (middle fibres of the genioglossus, and the hyoglossus), which depress and retract the tongue. Also, most important is to free your neck, since it's also attached to the hyoid bone. When the neck is free, the skull balances on the top of the spine and the tongue can rise from its root. Also, your facial muscles would also exert inward pressure against the bone if they are tense.... Or if the mandible muscles are tense, the tongue will also tend to have difficulties rising. Tension in the rest of the body will also affect negatively. 

In other words, release tension to make "mewing" easier. Many times it is very difficult to recognise if there is tension, but with increased body awareness it becomes less and less difficult. It takes time, attention and intention to learn to do this, but it is worth it.  The freer you are, the better you will feel (and look-- taller, skin glows, move with poise, etc). When the muscles are free, the bones/joints become aligned where they are supposed to be...and that will also allow the bones to reform in a positive way through the years.

There is an exercise that helps become aware of muscle tension and that is to clench your fist as hard as you can (without hurting yourself, of course) and feeling the sensations...then you stop clenching and feel how the tension is released. You can also try to do this with other muscles if it helps.  And with time you will be able to recognise it without having to clench/tense.

Also, sleep good and avoid chronic stress. Being patient with this process is also very important. and work on your breathing.

There are people (myself included), that take vitamin K2 and vitamin D to regulate bone remodelling and improve bone/teeth health. Maybe you could try that too?

I attached a picture of the tongue, so you can understand better what I meant with the muscles.

@Ayla31 Thanks for the detailed, technical descriptions. I found it very helpful in visualizing and understanding how everything is working as a system. I do think I've developed an automatic body awareness because I never have to put pressure on my tongue for it to stay up anymore, and it is naturally balancing my face (lips) more. I find it amazing that my lip LOOKS balanced just by having correct oral posture. I've always been insecure about that, as I've mentioned, so that's pretty huge for me lol. I feel way more attractive tbh just with proper tongue position.
What I've been doing is taking CBD oil + L-Theanine (very good combo for anxiety, I've struggled with anxiety for all of my life), meditating, and then listening to subliminal audios to help guide my posture correction naturally. It has been remarkably effective for me. Everything just feels natural and automatic and my confidence is noticeably higher now. My biggest issue is maintaining everything while sleeping however! Do you have any tips on how to accomplish this or will it happen naturally as you continue having correct tongue posture? Also, thanks for the exercise and picture. I will keep the pic for reference because it's really well done. 

I feel, for once, hopeful about things. I've been dealing with these issues for YEARS and they tortured my comfort and self-esteem. I'm so happy there's actual, practical hope that can help EVERYONE and that it's so fucking simple. I hope everything resolves itself in the best manner for both of us! 

@mewtastic, Sorry for the late reply, it's been a busy time. I think it's important to know your own anatomy, like size, structure and function, to have an idea why something is the way it is. Like being aware and feeling the palatoglossus and styloglossus , among other ones, which connect the tongue to the skull, make it easier to understand why the tongue should rest up there. 

That's great that you are not finding it difficult to place your tongue up in your palate and that you have found a method that helps with that.

I know what you mean with anxiety. What helps me the most is applying somatic techniques to develop embodiment, and grounding my senses, thoughts and feelings with my kinesthesia (a.k.a proprioception), and being aware of my surroundings, so fear can express itself in healthier ways. But it is not easy for me. 

As for the tip, I can only echo what someone said in this forum, and that is to correct swallowing during the day and develop suction hold, so that it becomes natural during sleep.

To that I'll add, practice while eating, drinking and swallowing saliva. Just before you go to sleep, work on your nasal breathing, either with buteyko exercises or pranayama exercises (or whatever you find good). Try to feel the air flowing through your sinuses while resting your tongue on your palate. And try to be aware of the movement and sensations you feel and compare them to the ones you have, when the tongue is dragged down and you are breathing through your mouth. And with time, your brain will map the palate as the tongue's home. 

Also, be aware of how you think of your body... since that will influence in how you move and thus of you feel. Life thinking we have a waist, or two jaws instead of a skull and a mandible. Oh, and never forget to be aware of your tongue, skull, limbs -including your mandible- in relationship to your core/torso and spine. Really important. You want to move as an unity and not just be aware of your tongue. The rest of the body is also important and influences the tongue's placements for good or bad depending on whether there is balance or not.

As for the picture, there are many pictures like that one in google.

I also find it great there are communities like this, that spread such an important info. Good luck to you.

@Ayla31 No worries and thank you! I was able to remove my braces recently at a feasible penalty price. My teeth have gotten straighter, and I've been much more dedicated to mewing. Thanks again for all the help!