Anyone have any experience with this bad habit? DS (4) has always chewed on stuff, he had a dummy until over 2, not too bad when we removed it but when he's anxious or upset or a bit on edge (like watching an exciting bit in a film) or even just bored he'll chomp on his teddy (who is now a rag) and lately this has become fiddling with his tshirt/top and lifting it in his mouth to chew, which usually makes holes instantly. His teddy is like a comforter and he still likes having it when he's upset or falls over etc.
He had a brand new tshirt (fun one with sequins and characters) and had a prolonged tantrum (these are actually quite unusual) while wearing it for the first time and had managed to ruin it by biting loads of holes in it. He's just done it on another new tshirt while watching a film and made a few small holes. I'm getting quite pissed off as he's had a growth spurt so new clothes that are meant to last him.
I had recently given him a muslin to put in his mouth if he felt like chewing on something but he doesn't realise he's doing it so will just leave the muslin somewhere. He really doesn't realise he's doing it, we've tried loads of carrots/sticks but it's just a habit he can't seem to break, like nail-biting I guess. I've threatened to put that bitter nail stuff on his teddy's face but never actually done it to poor ted.
He's generally a well-behaved boy, bright and (constantly!) questioning but like many 4yos has trouble managing his emotions. I don't know whether to blame myself for letting him have a dummy for so long (only for sleep though) or whether his predilection for chewing on stuff made him so attached to it in the first place!