The evolution of human faces
We have seen the deterioration in facial structure over the last 100 years amongst people living in developed nations. Before commercialisation and the modern mechanics that make up today’s world, the human face historically did all the breaking down of food into an ingestible consistency.
The human facial form developed through significant chewing with impact and exercise regularly, just like the physical body from the neck down. Our ancestors ate natural foods and not ultra-processed supermarket products; resulting in human jaws breaking down fibrous, chewy, and dehydrated hard foods often. This is not abnormal, in fact this is what they are designed to do, making it an essential component to developing the facial structure as per its genetic blueprint.
What science also clearly tells us is that skulls from primitive cultures demonstrated broader faces, broader dental arches, high cheekbones, straight teeth, and normal occlusion (jaws that perfectly meet when they bite).
Alternatively, the skulls of people who lived within modern industrialised societies characteristic of today show that this is no longer the case. Today, we’re so disconnected from our anthropological history and natural environment that we fail to realise how artificial our diet has become in terms of structural quality and consistency.
Processed foods and narrow faces
Technological interference means you are no longer required to process hard foods with your face. The result is less bone formation along your forehead, maxilla (top jaw) and mandible (lower jaw), and less space for your teeth and nasal passages.
Bones require impact to grow and stay strong. An example of this logic is when encouraging the elderly to do weight-bearing activities to ward off osteoporosis, however we tend to disregard the physical impact our faces are designed to exert daily.
This oversight has narrowed and diminished the size of the modern face. Teeth overlap since your face cannot grow to its biologically normal size under current conditions to house teeth evenly. You may find it difficult to draw in a deep breath exclusively with your nose because your narrow top jaw confines your nasal passage. The result is you become a habitual mouth breather to cope with decreased upper airflow.
Whilst this may seem minor at first, it carries significant implications for your overall health. It disrupts various vital functions of your body, including your central nervous system, sleep cycle, cellular repair, bodily coordination, and brain function, among others.
It doesn’t require much thought to comprehend how a whole food, chewy diet could afford your face and jaws enough input to influence your craniofacial structure’s development to maximum size. Unfortunately, this lack of recognition contributes to a fundamental health crisis that goes unnoticed.
How to develop your jaw to combat a narrow face
There are a few facial exercises that can be repeated often to increase jawline and narrow face markers.
Jaw Opening Exercise
Open your mouth wide, as if yawning, and hold for a few seconds; repeating several times.
Chin Tucks
Gently tuck your chin towards your chest and hold for a few seconds; then release and repeat.
Tongue to Roof Exercise
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold for a few seconds; repeating often.