[Revealed in Lion's Beauty Survey] A Sign of Overexertion? Over 70% May Have a "Teeth Clenching Habit"!?

Lion Corporation (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo) has compiled a survey on the consciousness of "shokuishibari-guse" (daytime clenching of upper and lower teeth) and its relationship with facial muscles. During this time of year when the stresses of a new lifestyle tend to accumulate, do you ever find yourself clenching your back teeth while concentrating on PC work or feeling tense? It seems that this "clenching habit" is one of the factors that can cause the masseter muscle, one of the facial muscles, to become tense, creating a bulge like a "facial bicep" on the jawline. This survey found that while about 70% of people had a daily "clenching habit," only about 30% of those who were aware of it took rational measures with "stretches from inside the mouth," revealing that addressing this habit is a blind spot in beauty. [Survey Overview] Awareness survey on "clenching habit" and beauty. - Survey conducted by: Lion Corporation - Survey date: January 27, 2026 (Tue) - Method: Internet survey - Target: 300 working women aged 20-50s living in the Tokyo metropolitan area. 1. Survey Results & Analysis Summary (1) [Reality] You too!? Over 70% may have a "clenching habit"! Yet only about 20% are aware of it. (2) [Fact] "Clenching habit" is a factor in creating a "facial bicep" from the masseter muscle. (3) [Solution] A direct approach from inside the mouth is key for a sharper impression, but only about 30% of aware individuals practice "stretches from inside the mouth," making it a little-known method. 2. Detailed Survey Results & Analysis (1) Over 70% may have a "clenching habit," but only about 20% are aware. Normally, a 2-3mm gap between the upper and lower teeth is natural when relaxed. Therefore, if your teeth are in contact at times other than when eating, you can be said to have a "clenching habit." Even without strong force, just the contact of the teeth is said to put a load on the muscles around the mouth. The survey found that about 70% (71%) of people may have daily teeth contact (Fig. 1). Meanwhile, only about 20% (21%) were aware of their "clenching habit" (Fig. 2), indicating that many people have an unconscious habit. (2) Unconscious "clenching habit" contributes to a "facial bicep" from the masseter muscle. When you have a "clenching habit," continuous force is applied to the masseter muscle, a deep muscle in the lower half of the face (jaw area). Just as flexing your arm muscles creates a bicep, daily clenching can cause the masseter to become "tense," emphasizing its presence. It's like having a "facial bicep" on your jawline (Fig. 3). This can lead to the jaw area appearing more prominent than the original facial line, making the whole face look larger and affecting the overall impression. (3) A direct approach from inside the mouth is key for the "facial bicep," but only about 30% practice "stretches from inside the mouth." For a masseter muscle that is tense from continuous force (a facial bicep), it is rational to approach it from "inside the mouth" (Fig. 4), which is closer to the muscle, rather than from the surface of the skin (outside). However, a survey of care methods among those aware of their "clenching habit" showed that only 31% practice "stretches from inside the mouth" themselves (Fig. 5), revealing that this rational approach is still a little-known method. Incorporating a new habit from inside the mouth seems to be the key to achieving a sharper impression for the "facial bicep," which can be seen as a sign of daily effort. ■ 4 minutes a day! Frictionless beauty device 'inquto' that approaches from "inside the mouth" close to the masseter muscle. For modern people who tend to tense up during PC work, Lion proposes a new-concept beauty device, 'inquto Intra-oral Beauty Device VR Inner Lift' (*1), born from over 100 years of expertise in oral care, to approach facial muscles like the masseter. It's designed to be easily incorporated as a habit, taking only about 4 minutes to complete. (*1) September 5, 2025 Reference: A new habit of lift care from inside the mouth without rubbing the skin: 'inquto Intra-oral Beauty Device VR Inner Lift' is born | News Release | Newsroom | Lion Corporation. [Product Features] (1) Close to the masseter! Frictionless lift care (*2) from inside the mouth. It approaches from "inside the mouth," closer to the masseter muscle, not from on top of the skin. This achieves "frictionless" lift care (*2) without worrying about the burden of rubbing the skin surface. (*2) Moving the device in an upward lifting motion. (2) Double approach with active VR vibration and red LED. Equipped with pleasant "frequency vibration" to support appropriate stimulation to the muscles. Furthermore, it adopts "red LED," which has been gaining attention in beauty clinics and devices, allowing for focused irradiation on the target area. (3) Usable anytime, anywhere for a quick refresh in about 4 minutes. Usage is simple, taking only about 4 minutes a day by pressing on four "beauty pressure points" on the left and right for one minute each. It is waterproof (IPX7 equivalent *3), so it can be used in the bath. Since it's an intra-oral approach, it can be used even with makeup on. Use it during a work break or any time you want to refresh. (*3) The device will operate after being submerged in 1m deep water for 30 minutes. - Purchase site: Rakuten Ichiba https://item.rakuten.co.jp/lion-official/6496-00/ - inquto Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inquto_official/