if one stops chewing on gums , hard meat etc, can the muscle (masseter) atrophy on its own without the need of botox ? thks

The masseter muscle is always at a certain basic level, if your mouth was wired shut long enough it may atrophy but likely not.  Botox will help it atrophy more quicky.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question. Decreasing chewing gums and changes in your diet may can help, however, there may not be a significant change. Regards, 

Given the fact that you use the masseter muscle to chew regardless of what you are eating, it is unlikely that you will get significant atrophy making the changes you mention.  Certainly you can try, but given the many factors that play into muscle function, you will likely not see a change.  Best of luck!

Gum chewing is one of those habits that not only can cause some muscles to build up but can also create wrinkles.  I feel that many of the lower face wrinkles are directly caused by the habit of gum chewing.  It makes sense to try to stop it and perhaps just try mints, which don't cause any issues.  Good luck!

While stopping your gum chewing habit will help to prevent further enlargement of the masseter muscle, it is unlikely to cause significant atrophy. The masseter muscles are used every day for eating and talking, so significant atrophy is unlikely. A combination of eliminating gum chewing and using Botox can help relax the masseter muscle, thereby relieving pain and reducing hypertrophy of the muscle. It helps to create a slimmer, softer jawline, and eventually you may be able to retain the results without needing further Botox. I suggest a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist to discuss a long-term plan.

Behavioral changes like decreasing chewing gums and changes in diet could help decrease the size of your muscles. This is similar to taking time off from the gym and finding your biceps shrink because you are not working out as much. The problem with the masseter muscle is you still use it when eating, speaking and moving your face and mouth. While you are not "working out" as much, you probably would not achieve the level of atrophy you are looking for to soften a square jawline. Certainly behavioral changes would help, but combining this with Botox would give you a great look.

It is not possible to stop using the masseter as you have to eat, but even so there would not be enough change to atrophy the masseter. Botox is a really wonderful treatment to taper the face and make the masseter less prominent

Thanks for your question. How timely you should ask this, as I just had a patient a week or so ago with whom I discussed this very thing. She had a squared out jaw in part from chewing so much gum.  She decreased her gum chewing habit AND also had Botox treatments simultaneously to the masseter muscle.  After a little over a year of Botox and decreased gum usage she looks much better and I recommended we no longer continue with the Botox for now.  I think your own personal outcome could be different, but moving forward I know I will recommend to patients a combination approach of Botox and gum avoidance with a goal of not getting them "hooked" on lifelong Botox. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the question.  Over chewing can definitely cause the muscle to stay big.  Cutting out on gum chewing may help but no guarantee.  I have seen some patients that avoid all these things yet still have large muscles and grinding.  Oftentimes a few treatments with Botox can break the cycle and you may not require Botox for life in the masseter muscle.  Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this
patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical
advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical
professional for appropriate care."