to ask how to stop my child from chewing stuff?

[TheHumanMothboy]

DS is 12. His equipment for school looks atrocious- he chews his ruler, his pencils, protractor, glue stick (not the glue thank goodness, the base), his pens, even chewing through two steel fountain pens this academic year

I don't know how to stop him, he says he can't stop. Bit I am so worried about his teeth and jaw, and damn sick of needing to replace equipment (I send him with chewed stuff, but pens stop working when the end is bitten off, and he makes his pencils disintegrate!)

Suggestions please!

You can buy pen toppers that are designed for chewing, is it a sensory issue? If so make it more appropriate rather than trying to mke him stop. I have to buy chewellery for my ds who is 6 because he chews everything.

It probably is sensory, but he's in mainstream, so don't want to particularly draw attention to him, and tbh he would just chew through anything rubbery in no time.
He has finally grown out of chewing through his clothes/bedding?

Not all would necessarily draw attention, there re lots of different types. But most are hard wearing enough that they are difficult to chew through completely. Theres other things which are quite discreet, we buy springz chewellery for my son, it can be worn on the wrist and 99% of the time people don't take any notice of it.

He needs something he can chew - you can buy special jewellery. Or something like this? www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/1?q=sensory+chewing+aids&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=414&bih=699&tbs=vw:l,ss:44&prmd=sinv&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:6395532821495574510_0,prmr:1,pid:6395532821495574510,cs:1

If you took it off the string it would just look like a pen

My son was a chewer. PJ bottom cords, pens, pencils, and anything rubbery. It's a sensory thing and helps them to keep calm. Certainly in my son it was a need, so it was pointless trying to stop it. I bought some Chewbuddies (on lanyards) and on pencil tops. He's mostly stopped now - I occasionally find chewed things here and there but he gradually decreased it till he was about 10.

Thank you! I shall have a look into these for September

I'm 38 and I've not found a way to stop yet. It's less bad now I tend to be on a computer all day rather than using pens etc. but I can't keep anything else on my desk. Currently I've got a wooden lolly stick and one of the plastic ring things from the lid of an unsealed bottle of pop. Both have been munched on to within an inch of their lives.

I'm aware that its a disgusting habit, but I really struggle to not do it. It's a concentration thing, it's something for my hands to do while I'm trying to solve a problem.

[narrows eyes] are you my sister??

Hopefully not!

Aren't you worried about splinters @fdgdfgdfgdfg? Does your jaw get sore?

We had to take dummies away from him because he started to chew through them...I know this is just who he is [sigh]

Be aware that it is a sensory need and can also be a symptom of anxiety so it’s best to divert to chewing more appropriate things or getting sensory input in other ways. My son & other kids I know that are big chewers are definitely worse when stressed/anxious so might be worth keeping channels of communication open. Chewigem chews are much more hard wearing than other brands- the tyre shape bangle & chunky dog tag type necklace have lasted longest. Other physical outlets bouncing on the trampoline, going for a run, doing wall press-ups, carrying heavy stuff, etc help reduce my son’s need for chewing. Sugar free gum is also good but no help for school situations.

Thank you@sparklyblue81 that's really so helpful. He is very movement avoidant, shall we say!
He does drum though, and I think it has helped him enormously, both with co-ordination but also with anxiety (he is a bit of a stressball)

if he likes drumming think of getting a punchball in his bedroom? Not expensive - ours from argos - and great stress reliever

If you can trust him not to chew it, a lump of blutack he can just shove in his pocket can be good to mess with to relieve anxiety. It maybe wouldn't seem as 'weird' for him to fiddle with blutack as to be seen chewing a special bracelet, but if he really needs to chew I wouldn't try and stop him, as that'll just make things worse, but focus on it being something appropriate.

Take him to the dentist and get them to tell him what damage he’s doing to his teeth. They will be able to fit him for a rubber mouth guard to protect his teeth, otherwise they’re going to be wrecked.

I got the surfboard type necklace for my son. He’s a finger sucker and it works for him.

sensooli.com/shop/behaviour/biting/

Sadly, we have had to remove all blutak from the house due to him chewing it.

@fdgdfgdfgdfg

I'm 38 and I've not found a way to stop yet. It's less bad now I tend to be on a computer all day rather than using pens etc. but I can't keep anything else on my desk. Currently I've got a wooden lolly stick and one of the plastic ring things from the lid of an unsealed bottle of pop. Both have been munched on to within an inch of their lives.

I'm aware that its a disgusting habit, but I really struggle to not do it. It's a concentration thing, it's something for my hands to do while I'm trying to solve a problem.

I have been know to stab myself in the gums with stuff. I generally learn my lesson for all of 10 minutes and then I'm back at it.

Someone else mentioned damaging teeth, I wouldnt worry too much about it unless he's chewing on rocks! I get through hard plastic, metal and my teeth are perfect. I've mentioned it to dentist and he didn't seem too worried

Does he have low iron?

Glad to hear your teeth are ok! @fdgdfgdfgdfg

@justasmalltownmum I don't think so, as I make him take a supplement every day and it's got everything in that he needs (because he doesn't eat much)

I'm in my 40s and have chips on both my front teeth from chewing random things (one chip right in the middle of my tooth, the dentist used to fill it but it only lasts a year or so 😔) . I wish I'd discovered chewellry years ago!

Chew necklaces work well here. We get them off eBay (they're hardcore; he's yet to bite through them). My son does it through anxiety or when really concentrating on something.

It can also be a sign of anaemia. As both a child and adult my sister use to chew plastic, grit, coal, anything non-food related, it's a type of carving she couldn't control called Pica. Pregnant woman who are low in iron can also be prone to it.

If it helps 😊. We've tried loads but these are the only ones he can't chew through but still gets the satisfaction of chewing.

I am a chewer. My son is as well. I'm 41 and never stopped. I do think it's sensory or anxiety related. I also used to bite my nails, as did my DS.

Thank you all..I do think it's linked to anxiety/sensory seeking rather than anaemia/pica.
He has no nails either

Paint the anti chewing liquid for nails onto the pens etc?