5 yo - things in mouth

[Cheddarcheddar]

In the last week or two, 5 yo DS has been popping random bits in his mouth (Lego pieces, etc). He sort of chews on it or sucks on it a bit. He’s never been a chewer, even as a baby. I’ve asked him why he’s doing this and he doesn’t reply.

Why might he be doing this? His teacher commented on it too. I thought maybe he is going to atart losing his teeth, but I’ve read it can also be a sign of nervousness or self soothing? I can’t link it to any particular situation, he seems to do it when he’s happily playing at home.

Is it sensory? The texture? The chewing?

I don’t know? It’s not like a dog chewing a toy, more mindlessly sort of mouthing something, if that makes sense?

My 5yo does this exact thing. I got teething toy fish at the weekend. He is however also anxious, goes through phases of chewing holes in his tops etc. More of a mouthing, just holding it there, than an actual chew.

Mine does this but has from birth so maybe not the same. For him I think it’s soothing/sensory/anxiety/when concentrating. I bought him some chewy Lego block necklace things but he hated them as they don’t break/leave tooth marks 😅

Iron levels? I chew paper and things when mine is low.

Some people are just like that. I'm forever touching my face around my mouth, fingers in my mouth, running teeth over nails, rubbing a blanket around my mouth while watching telly. I don't notice I'm going it. He'll maybe grow up to be the kind of person who bites the end of their pen and so on.

I wouldn't make a big deal of it but I'd discourage small things in his mouth as it's dangerous.