Thumbpulling: Can You Widen Your Upper Jaw With Your Thumbs?

Can you really widen or move your upper jaw by pressing on the roof of your mouth with your thumbs? That is the claim behind "thumbpulling," a looksmaxxing trend that has spread on video apps. Supporters say it gives you a wider face, fuller cheeks, and a stronger midface. Orthodontists say there is no good proof it works in adults, and it can move your teeth in ways that are hard to fix. This guide explains the claim, the risks, and safer options. It is not a how-to, and we do not recommend trying it.

What thumbpulling claims to do

The upper jaw is called the maxilla. In looksmaxxing talk, a "recessed" or narrow maxilla gets blamed for many things, like flat cheeks, a long face, or tired looking eyes. Thumbpulling videos say that pushing or pulling on the roof of the mouth with your thumbs, again and again, can slowly widen the jaw or bring it forward.

What supporters say

Many people online say:

It is free and private, so there is little to lose
It is like a home version of palate expanders that orthodontists use
They saw changes in their face or cheeks in photos
It works best when combined with mewing and hard chewing

Even some fans warn others to never push on the teeth, because that can tip them.

What research and experts say

No controlled studies. A craniofacial surgeon who reviewed the trend says there is no controlled human study showing thumbpulling widens or moves an adult upper jaw. The photos people share are not proof. Camera distance, head tilt, light, weight loss, posture, and normal growth in teens can all change how a face looks.
Real expansion uses fixed devices. Orthodontists do widen jaws, but they use devices fixed in the mouth with steady, measured force, often with tiny screws into the bone in adults. A 2024 review found that even these devices sometimes fail in adults, and no one can fully predict who will respond.
Adult bones are usually fused. A study of jaw scans in adults aged 18 to 66 found that the seam in the middle of the roof of the mouth was fused in most of them. Age alone could not predict who was fused, so a scan is needed.
Orthodontists warn against DIY. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) says viral tooth and jaw hacks, like mewing, can misalign teeth and cause permanent damage. It also warns that moving teeth without an exam and X-rays can lead to tooth and gum loss and bite changes.

New research (October 2026)

DIY face trends are growing. A study in the October 2026 issue of a facial surgery journal tracked a year of looksmaxxing posts. It found that tutorial posts got more engagement than other posts, and that most posts about bone smashing were neutral or positive in tone. The authors warn this is how risky habits start to feel normal.
Even insiders call some of it a scam. In an October 11, 2026 ABC News report, a young looksmaxxer pointed to thumbpulling as an example of "grifters" taking advantage of young men.

What people who tried it say

These are summaries of stories people shared online. They are not medical advice.

A 15 year old said he did it for about 20 to 30 minutes a day for around four months. Afterward his back teeth no longer touched when he bit down.
Another person shared photos of a young man who had done it for a long time. His teeth were tilted outward a lot, but the jaw itself had not widened.
Someone who thought one week had changed his face and X-rays was told by others that a different head angle or a different X-ray machine can make two scans look very different.

Risks

Tipped teeth and bite changes. Force goes where there is the least resistance, which is often the teeth, not the bone. Small bite changes can be hard to undo.
Gum and root damage. Teeth pushed outward can lose gum and bone support. Dentists also warn about root damage and loose teeth from DIY devices.
Mouth sores and infection. Nails and unwashed hands can hurt the soft lining of the palate.
Jaw joint pain. Strong pulling can strain the jaw joints, especially if you already have clicking or pain.
Uneven results. One hand can push harder than the other.
Missing real care. For teens, the biggest risk may be time. Supervised expansion works best while you are still growing, and that window can pass.

Safer options

A truly narrow or set back jaw usually shows up as a crossbite, crowded upper teeth, an underbite, jaw pain, or trouble breathing through your nose, and thumbs will not fix any of those. If your main goal is looking better in photos, small things like posture, lighting, camera distance, and a good haircut often make a bigger difference than people expect. The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free, so you can see which of your own photos people like best.

Bottom line

Thumbpulling is not proven to change an adult jaw, and it can tip teeth, change your bite, and hurt your gums and jaw joints. It is not recommended. Pushing on your palate is a fast way to wreck a bite that braces then cost thousands to fix.

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