How Nutrition and Chewing Shape Your Child’s Face

The overlooked factors behind jaw growth, straight teeth, and healthy airways

Most parents know that nutrition is important for a child’s growth. But few realise it’s also shaping their child’s jaw, face, and airway—every single day.

The foods your child eats (and how they chew them) can either support strong, healthy development—or contribute to crowding, mouth breathing, and sleep struggles later on.

Let’s break down how it all works—and what you can do to help.

What Builds a Strong Jaw?

The bones of the face and jaw are like any other part of the body: they grow in response to use.

Chewing tough, textured, whole foods helps:

• Strengthen jaw muscles

• Stimulate bone growth

• Encourage proper tongue posture

• Support wide dental arches (space for all teeth!)

• Promote nasal breathing and proper oral development

When kids don’t chew enough, the jaw doesn’t grow as wide. The result? Crowded teeth, narrow faces, and restricted airways.

The Problem with Soft, Modern Diets

Today’s children eat more processed, soft, pre-packaged foods than any generation before.

Think:

• Pouches

• Pasta

• Smoothies

• Soft breads

• Yogurt

• Mashed everything

These foods are easy to swallow—but they don’t require much chewing or jaw engagement.

Why Chewing Matters More Than You Think

Anthropologists like Dr. Daniel Lieberman and researchers like Dr. Weston A. Price have shown that traditional cultures—who ate tough, unprocessed, nutrient-rich diets—developed broad jaws, straight teeth, and strong facial features without orthodontics.

When kids chew real food:

• Jaw muscles are activated

• Bone density increases

• Palate widens naturally

• Teeth have space to erupt without crowding

• Tongue posture improves (helping with nasal breathing)

Nutrients That Support Jaw and Bone Growth

It’s not just texture—nutrients matter too.

During key developmental years (0–10 especially), your child needs:

• Vitamin K2 – Supports bone density and facial growth

• Vitamin D – Critical for skeletal development

• Magnesium & Calcium – Work together to build strong bones

• Healthy fats – Aid nutrient absorption

• Collagen-rich foods – Help form connective tissue and support palate growth

What You Can Start Doing Today

• Ditch the pouches—switch to fork-mashed foods or hand-held chunks

• Serve chewy foods daily—like carrots, jerky, dried fruit, sourdough crusts, or meat on the bone

• Add fermented and mineral-rich foods—like sauerkraut, broth, or raw cheese

• Involve your kids in meal prep—they’re more likely to try new textures if they helped make them

• Encourage slow, mindful eating—chewing properly on both sides of the mouth with lips closed

Want a Step-by-Step Food & Chewing Guide?

The Mouth Myth breaks it all down:

• The link between modern diets and narrow jaws

• How to build a jaw-friendly meal plan

• What nutrient-rich foods actually look like for kids

• What changes made the biggest difference for our founder, Lacey Morgan’s, family

📘 Get The Book →
Includes bonus guides like Quick-Start Jaw Health Guide: 5 Things You Can Do Today to Support Your Child’s Jaw & Airway Health