Slimming wires: Unpacking the jaw-clenching weight loss trend that is taking Kenya by storm

Monica Muroki had been locked in a frustrating battle with her weight for years. Despite seeking help from a nutritionist and enduring gruelling gym sessions, the digits on the scale stubbornly refused to change. “Previously, I had been working out at the gym, where I realised I was struggling, I think because I had a lot of weight. I kept hurting my knees, so I could not work out well,” she narrated.

Complicating matters further, her gynaecologist had warned that her weight posed significant risks due to underlying medical conditions. Muroki was determined to find a solution, so she turned to extensive research.

She explored gastric balloon procedures, where a silicone rubber balloon is placed in the stomach to reduce its capacity and promote fullness. She also considered the gastric sleeve, a surgical procedure that shrinks the stomach to help people feel full faster. However, both options came with prohibitively high costs that made them inaccessible.

Then one day, as she was scrolling through TikTok, Muroki stumbled upon something intriguing: a video detailing an unconventional weight-loss solution known as slimming wires. “I had not seen slimming wires used by any creators in Kenya, but I saw them with a creator from South Africa, and I got curious. These kinds of videos kept popping up on my TikTok, and I got interested. I thought it was something I could try,” said Muroki.

What are slimming wires?

Slimming wires, as they are commonly called by those using them for weight loss, refer to a dental procedure known as Mandibulo-maxillary fixation (MMF). This procedure is typically used to treat patients with broken jaws. The treatment involves binding the movable lower jaw to the stable upper jaw using wires, elastic bands, or metal splints. “My dentist was concerned when I mentioned wanting to insert the wires, as it’s not a procedure that can be done carelessly. They explained that one of the risks associated with the wires is choking, as well as the potential for tooth decay,” said Muroki.

She added, “But because I needed to lose weight, I decided to take the bull by the horns. I had seen other creators say it worked for them, and that gave me the confidence.”

Thus, Muroki visited the dentist on October 15, 2024 and started the procedure. At the time, she weighed 104 kilogrammes.

Determined to share her journey, she began documenting her experience on TikTok. Her videos quickly gained attention, not just for her story, but also for her unique way of speaking—with her teeth tightly clenched, as if trying to communicate without fully opening her mouth. “The process was not painful, but uncomfortable because it is very weird having your mouth closed. The first few days, I would forget that I cannot open my mouth, especially at night, because my subconscious mind takes over. That was the hardest part for me—the first two weeks. Additionally, I could only take blended foods,” she explained.

For Muroki, health concerns—rather than societal beauty standards—led her to choose this unconventional method.

“Personally, I think I’m a very beautiful girl. I was looking at it from a health perspective. I was on medication because of H. pylori, hormonal issues, which affect you. There are so many underlying health issues. The doctor was very honest with me, that I needed to work on myself.”

Now, she weighs 84kgs, having lost 20kgs in two months.

As Muroki documented her journey, 21-year-old Rita Wanjiku Kamau followed closely, struggling with her own weight loss challenges. “I was around 68kgs, then suddenly shot up to 83kg, which I felt was unhealthy. My BMI was nearing the obese range. I also have chest problems, and gaining weight triggers more asthma attacks,” Wanjiku explained.

Rising obesity rates in Kenya

Inspired by Muroki’s experience, Wanjiku consulted her dentist, who fitted her with slimming wires on January 3, 2025. At the time, she weighed 83kg.

Over three weeks with the wires, she successfully lost seven kilogrammes, but not without some challenges. “Having the wires was challenging, because I couldn’t brush my tongue or floss my teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and bad breath,” she said.

Additionally, she endured criticism from friends, family, and people on social media who were against the unconventional method of losing weight. “When gaining weight, they challenge you to lose it, but when you try different methods, they start saying it’s not healthy,” she said.

Wanjiku says she is still struggling to lose weight, but has since started going to the gym and following a structured diet plan in hopes of achieving her goal.

Data from the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) in 2022 showed that the number of women in the obese category has increased, rising from 38 per cent in 2014 to 45 per cent in 2022.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), being overweight or obese can negatively impact a person’s health, including causing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and far-reaching effects on reproductive health in women.

While the slimming wires practice is uncommon in Kenya, experts say it’s not new. Jaw wiring for weight loss emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when fewer obesity treatments were available.

However, George Omollo, a nutritionist and president of the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Association, strongly discourages the method. “The demand for slimming wires exists, but I wouldn’t recommend them,” said Omollo.

He emphasised that the healthiest way to lose weight is through a balanced diet and physical activity. “Losing 20kgs in two months is not a healthy approach. A safe weight loss rate is two to four kilogrammes per month. Rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and weight regain if the diet is not managed,” he said.

He advises people to seek guidance from professionals rather than relying on online trends. “A lot of people are getting advice from social media instead of experts. Consult a physician or a qualified nutritionist if you want to lose weight,” he advised.

Similarly, Godfrey Maronga, a dentist with 15 years of experience, views the use of MMF for weight loss as a misuse of the procedure. “I wouldn’t insert wires on any patient for weight loss purposes because I am licensed to perform MMF to treat jaw fractures. If someone requests it for weight loss, it would be an abuse of a dental procedure. I would take my time to advise the patient to see a nutritionist instead,” said Maronga.

He also noted that undergoing MMF, even for medical reasons to naturally lose weight, it is not an easy process. as some patients return to have them removed, because they cannot eat.

While slimming wires have gained attention on social media, experts warn that the risks outweigh the benefits, they insist on safe, sustainable weight loss methods.