7 year old chewing teddy at night - is it a problem?

[Twerking9to5]

My 7 yo DS has always slept with a teddy of some sort and chews it’s ears/arms whatever is deemed chewable. 5 yo DD does the same.

DH wants them to be able to settle without the chewing bit. I get his points that: the teddies get really wet and smell, sucking and chewing all night is probably not good for teeth/jaws. Ideally they’d have a teddy to cuddle but not chew.

I’m finding it hard because it’s such a comfort for them. I’m more of the opinion that they’ll stop when they’re ready but interested to see what others think. The last few nights of trying DS without a chewable teddy has been really tough but do we just press on?

DS was like this when he was small. It stank, we had several so we could wash and swap but I was worried it was a breeding ground for bacteria and could cause problems with his teeth.
We took the opportunity when he had a bout of tonsillitis, and was doped up on prescription medication, to remove it. I felt awful as he was upset and poorly but he got over it pretty quickly. He was a lot younger than your DC though so was easier to distract/deflect.

My 4yo DD is the same. She had a dummy until she was 3 and moved on to teddies when we finally managed to take the dummy away. Like you, I am of the mind that she will stop when she is ready and that it brings her great comfort. I do sneak in when I go up to bed and take it out of her mouth though.

And you're right, it does stink! Luckily, DD isn't fussy about what it is she is chewing so I can wash things very regularly.

We have a lot of them on rotation as they get washed and after every chew! I just worry perhaps they are damaging to teeth/palates and maybe we should have nipped it In The bud years ago.

Now I’m wondering how to get rid....do we do a goodbye picnic? That feels too sad to me, but also don’t want to just take them away with no warning!