How to reduce the masseter muscle naturally
The masseter muscles are located in the jaw and cheek; they are the powerful muscles that play a crucial role in chewing and jaw movement.
Known in medical terms as masseter hypertrophy, enlarged masseter muscles can lead to a more prominent or square jawline, facial imbalance, and in some cases discomfort such as jaw tightness and headaches.
Here we explore some natural approaches to reduce the size and tension of the masseter muscles, to achieve a softer, more oval facial profile and to help alleviate any associated symptoms.
The role of the masseter muscle
To understand how an enlarged masseter muscle influences the shape of your face, it’s useful to envisage where this muscle is positioned and how it functions.
The masseter muscle is in the cheek, along the sides of the face and jaw. It connects the lower jaw (or mandible) to the cheekbone.
As one of the primary muscles involved in biting and chewing, the masseter muscle is responsible for opening and closing the jaw. For its size, the masseter muscles is one of the strongest muscles in the body.
What causes enlarged masseter muscles?
There are several reasons why the masseter muscle might become bulkier and more prominent:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) – often during sleep
- Frequent gum chewing or chewing tough foods
- Clenching your jaw due to stress or anxiety
- Genetics – some people naturally have larger jaw muscles
- TMJ disorder – the masseter muscle is also associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which affects jaw movement. Its symptoms include pain around the jaw, ear and temple, clicking noises during chewing, and jaw locking.
Further reading:
Masseter Muscle Hypertrophy: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options
NHS information regarding TMJ disorder
Four natural ways to reduce the masseter muscle
1. Manage stress and tension
Stress can lead to unconscious jaw clenching and teeth grinding, especially at night. Over time, this can bulk up the masseter muscles. To help with this, you can try:
- Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or regular activities that help relax you such as yoga.
- Pay attention to your jaw tension throughout the day and consciously relax it. Gently placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth can also help.
- Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful if your stress or anxiety is difficult to manage.
2. Avoid overuse of the jaw
Regular gum chewing and eating tough foods frequently contribute to overdeveloped masseter muscles.
- Limit chewing gum or hard, chewy foods and choose softer foods where possible.
- Be mindful of unnecessary jaw movement such as nail biting or biting the end of your pen.
3. Jaw relaxation exercises
The NHS recommends gentle facial exercises to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder. These can help relax tension in the masseter muscle and reduce the occurrence of jaw clenching and teeth grinding:
NHS patient information on TMJ exercises
4. Dental guards for bruxism
If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist may recommend a custom-made dental guard to protect your teeth from wear and tear, and reduce stress on the masseter muscles.
According to the NHS:
“A dentist may recommend a mouth guard or mouth splint.
These are worn at night and protect your teeth from damage. They can be made by a dentist to fit precisely over your upper or lower teeth”
Botox treatment for masseter jaw enlargement
Botox can offer a gentle, non-invasive solution to an enlarged masseter muscle, where other options have not achieved the desired results.
How does masseter jaw botox work?
Botox injections are carefully targeted into specific points in the masseter muscle to gradually relax it through blocking certain nerve signals.
This treatment has several benefits:
- The masseter muscles reduce in size over a course of treatments to make them less prominent, resulting in a slimmer jawline.
- Botox treatment can help to reduce the incidence of teeth grinding and clenching by relaxing the masseter muscles, protecting your teeth.
- Botox treatment for enlarged masseter muscles can also alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder by reducing tension.
Further reading about botox for masseter muscle enlargement:
Botox for masseter enlargement at Hannah London
if you would like to talk to us about botox for masseter muscle enlargement, please call us on 020 8202 6187 or email info@hannahlondon.com.
Find out more about masseter jaw botox at Hannah London
Before and after botox treatment for enlarged masseter muscle
Following a course of botox treatment for masseter enlargement, the muscle has been reduced in size and bulk giving our patient the softer and more oval jawline she wanted.
