Decoding Facial Aging: Do Jaws Get Bigger with Age?

Contrary to some perceptions, modern research using advanced 3D scans suggests the facial skeleton, including the jaw, often decreases in volume and density with age, rather than enlarging. This bone remodeling, combined with soft tissue shifts, is key to understanding the question: do jaws get bigger with age?

Quick Summary

The jaw and facial bones undergo a complex process of remodeling throughout life, leading to changes in shape and definition, but not necessarily getting bigger. The perception of a larger jaw is often caused by a decrease in bone volume and density, and the redistribution of facial fat and soft tissue.

Key Points

• Bone Remodeling is Ongoing: The jawbone, or mandible, is not static; it constantly remodels throughout life, with resorption increasing with age.

• Perception vs. Reality: The perception of a bigger jaw is often caused by sagging skin, fat redistribution, and less skeletal support, not bone growth.

• Bone Loss is Key: Studies show that facial bones, including the jaw, often decrease in volume and density, particularly after middle age.

• Dental Health is Crucial: Tooth loss accelerates jawbone resorption, causing a decrease in bone height and altering the facial structure.

• Soft Tissue is a Major Factor: The loss of skin elasticity and the descent of facial fat pads contribute significantly to jowl formation and a less defined jawline.

• Proactive Care Helps: Maintaining good oral hygiene and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help mitigate some age-related jaw and facial changes.

The Scientific Reality of Facial Bone Remodeling

As humans age, the entire skeletal system undergoes constant remodeling, where old bone tissue is broken down by cells called osteoclasts and new bone is formed by osteoblasts. This continuous process means our bone structure is not static after childhood but constantly adapting. In the facial skeleton, this leads to a complex set of changes that are often misunderstood.

For many, the jawline appears to become less defined with age, which can be perceived as an enlargement. However, studies show that bone density and volume, particularly in the lower jaw (mandible), often decrease over time. This loss of underlying skeletal support is a major factor in the visible signs of aging around the lower face, such as the formation of jowls and a softened jaw contour.

Specific Changes to the Mandible

The mandible, or jawbone, does not simply grow larger but changes its shape and proportions. A study published in Scientific Reports revealed that the patterns of changes with age in the mandibular region are complex and still being debated. Some of the observed changes include:

• Mandibular Angle: The angle of the jaw often increases with age, contributing to a loss of definition along the lower border of the face.
• Bone Resorption: There is a significant reduction in the height of the mandible, especially in individuals who have experienced tooth loss. This resorption is the body's natural response when the bone is no longer stimulated by the mechanical forces of chewing.
• Decreased Volume: The overall volume and density of the jawbone can decrease. The research suggests that while bone is being added to the outer surface (appositional growth) to increase diameter, endosteal resorption (from the inner surface) increases at a faster rate, leading to cortical thinning. This can make the jaw appear less prominent.

The Role of Soft Tissue and Fat

The facial changes with age are a combination of skeletal and soft tissue alterations. It is the shifting of these soft tissues that often creates the illusion of a bigger or heavier jaw, rather than the bone itself growing.

• Fat Repositioning and Loss: The fat pads that provide youthful fullness to the cheeks and midface descend and thin over time. This loss of volume higher up in the face can contribute to sagging skin and the formation of jowls along the jawline, giving the impression of a heavier lower face.
• Skin Laxity: As collagen and elastin production naturally decline, the skin loses its elasticity and can no longer resist gravity as effectively. This causes skin to sag, accumulating under the chin and around the jawline, further accentuating the appearance of jowls.
• Muscle Changes: The facial muscles can weaken and their dynamic interaction with the deteriorating skin envelope can also contribute to a less defined or aged appearance.

How Dental Health Affects Your Jaw

Your oral health plays a direct and vital role in maintaining the structure of your jawbone throughout life. Missing teeth are a significant factor contributing to jaw changes.

• Bone Stimulation: When you chew, the force is transferred through your teeth to the jawbone, stimulating it. This stimulation signals the body to maintain bone density in that area.
• Deterioration: When a tooth is lost, this crucial stimulation is gone. The body interprets this as a signal that the bone is no longer needed, leading to accelerated bone resorption in that specific area.
• Consequences of Tooth Loss: Severe or complete tooth loss can dramatically alter the shape of the jaw and face, leading to a sunken appearance, deepening wrinkles, and an altered bite relationship. Conditions like gum disease can also contribute to this bone loss.

Youthful Jawline vs. Aged Jawline: A Comparison

Feature	Youthful Jawline	Aged Jawline
Bone Volume	High volume and density	Decreased volume, especially in the mandible
Jaw Angle	More acute and defined	Wider, less defined angle
Skin Tightness	Smooth, elastic, and firm skin	Increased laxity, with sagging skin
Fat Distribution	Higher, fuller fat pads in the cheeks	Descended and thinned fat pads; fat accumulation in jowls
Profile	Well-supported, defined contour	Softened contour, often with jowls
Dental Health	Full, intact dentition	Possible tooth loss and associated bone resorption

Maintaining a Healthier Jawline as You Age

While you cannot stop the natural aging process, a proactive approach can help mitigate some of the effects on your facial structure.

1. Prioritize Oral Hygiene: Maintain good dental health by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly. Preventing tooth loss is one of the most effective ways to preserve jawbone density.
2. Consider Dental Implants: For missing teeth, dental implants can help maintain jawbone health. Unlike dentures, implants provide the necessary stimulation to the bone, preventing resorption.
3. Engage Facial Muscles: Certain facial exercises or 'face yoga' can help tone the muscles around the jaw and neck, which may improve the appearance of the jawline.
4. Boost Collagen Production: A healthy diet rich in protein, Vitamin C, and antioxidants can support collagen production, which is vital for skin elasticity and firmness.
5. Use SPF and Moisturizers: Protecting your skin from sun damage and keeping it hydrated helps maintain its firmness and elasticity, slowing down the formation of wrinkles and sagging.
6. Practice Good Posture: Consistently slouching can affect the appearance of your jawline by causing the skin around the neck and jaw to sag. Keep your head high and shoulders back.

Conclusion

The idea that our jaws get bigger with age is a common misconception, born from visual cues that are more complex than simple growth. The reality involves a nuanced interplay of bone remodeling, soft tissue changes, and gravitational effects. The volume of our jawbone tends to decrease, leading to less support for the overlying skin and fat. This results in features like jowls and a less defined profile, giving the illusion of a heavier or more prominent jaw. By understanding these underlying processes and prioritizing dental health, proper nutrition, and skincare, it is possible to maintain a healthier, more defined jawline for longer.

For more detailed scientific information on age-related changes to the human facial skeleton, you can read further studies on the topic, such as articles published on the website for the National Institutes of Health. For instance, the Journal of Anatomy contains extensive research on the subject. A study titled "Insight into age-related changes of the human facial skeleton based on a 3D model analysis" was published in Scientific Reports in 2023, and while its specific URL isn't required here, it is a great example of the ongoing research that debunks this myth. The NIH's website is also a reliable source for information on bone health, including the effects of aging on bone density and mass throughout the body, as detailed in several resources within the search results. A great resource for further reading is available at The Basics of Bone in Health and Disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my jawline look different as I get older?

Your jawline appears different due to a combination of factors. The underlying facial bones lose volume and density, while soft tissues like fat pads redistribute and skin loses elasticity. This leads to less support and the formation of jowls, changing the overall contour of your jaw and face.

Can I prevent my jaws from getting bigger with age?

The perception of a 'bigger jaw' is often not due to bone growth but rather to sagging skin and soft tissues. You can help prevent this by maintaining good oral health, protecting your skin from sun damage, staying hydrated, and potentially doing facial exercises to tone muscles.

How do missing teeth affect the jawline?

Missing teeth significantly impact the jawline because the lack of chewing stimulus causes the underlying jawbone to resorb or deteriorate. This bone loss can alter facial structure, causing a sunken appearance and contributing to a less defined jawline.

What is bone resorption in the jaw?

Bone resorption is the natural process where old bone tissue is broken down and absorbed by the body. In the jaw, this process accelerates when teeth are lost, as the bone is no longer being stimulated, leading to a decrease in its height and density over time.

Do facial exercises help define the jawline?

While facial exercises cannot change your underlying bone structure, they can help tone the muscles around the jaw and neck. Consistent practice may improve muscle firmness and potentially give a more defined appearance to your jawline.

Is it true that the chin protrudes more with age?

The appearance of a more protruding chin is not due to growth, but rather the way the jaw and face change. With age, bone resorption occurs and the angle of the jaw can shift, which, combined with soft tissue sagging, can alter the facial profile and make the chin appear more prominent relative to a receding jawline.

How do jowls relate to jaw size?

Jowls are sagging skin and fat along the jawline. They are caused by a combination of reduced skin elasticity and the loss of support from a decrease in underlying facial bone volume, not because the jaw itself is getting bigger. The jowls simply obscure the once-firm jawline, creating the appearance of a larger or heavier lower face.