Ethan Clarke
Children often chew on plastic and other non-food items such as clothing, pencils, and toys. This behaviour can be frustrating for parents, especially when it starts to damage their belongings. However, it is important to note that children do not want to be destructive and that they have a need to chew. This need to chew is often related to stress and anxiety, and chewing provides proprioceptive input to the jaw that has a calming and self-organizing effect. Chewing can also help children focus by blocking out other distractions. For children with sensory processing difficulties, chewing is a form of stimming that helps them manage sensory information. If your child is chewing excessively, it may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider or occupational therapist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oral fixation since toddlerhood | Putting toys in the mouth and chewing on everything in sight |
| Chewing as a calming mechanism | Self-stimulation or stimming |
| Chewing as a habit | Boredom, anxiety, teething, or stress |
| Chewing for sensory stimulation | Difficulty in sensing food on their lips or in their mouths |
| Chewing for concentration | Blocking out other distractions |
| Chewing as a form of therapy | Using chewable necklaces, bracelets, or chewable pencil toppers |
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What You'll Learn
Chewing as a calming mechanism
Chewing is a typical behaviour for teething babies and toddlers, but some older kids can develop chewing as a habit. Children can chew for many reasons, including stress or anxiety, the need for sensory stimulation, body awareness difficulties, concentration, and boredom. Similar to fidgeting or bouncing a leg, chewing can be a sign your child feels stressed or nervous. If you are concerned about your child's anxiety, it is recommended to talk to their healthcare provider.
Chewing is an easy way for children to calm themselves because there is always something nearby that they can chew on, whether it is safe or not, such as a shirt, pencil, or toy. They can also control what goes into their mouths, which is something that many children do not get to do very often. Chewing as a calming mechanism is especially true for children with Autism and/or sensory processing disorder (SPD). Individuals with sensory issues process the world differently, and it can often be very overwhelming. Lights might appear brighter, sounds might seem louder, and touch might be painful. Short for self-stimulation, stimming is one way that individuals with sensory issues organize themselves and manage all of the extra sensory information bombarding their systems. Stimming is typically a repetitive action, such as flapping one's hands, rocking back and forth, spinning things, repeating certain words, or chewing.
If your child is chewing excessively, without a clear cause, and/or has difficulty stopping this behaviour, contact their healthcare provider. They may refer you to a pediatric occupational therapist or speech language pathologist, who can help by getting to the root of your child's behaviour and providing more targeted strategies to reduce it.
If you are looking for a safe alternative for your child to chew on, there are lots of different options available today, from the classic Grabber to chewable necklaces and bracelets to chewable pencil toppers. Once you give someone an appropriate item to chew on, you will find that they chew on inappropriate items a lot less, if at all.
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Oral fixation
Freudian psychology suggests that oral fixation can lead to negative behaviours in adulthood, such as nail-biting, smoking, and overeating. Smoking, for instance, provides oral stimulation by moving the cigarette to the mouth. Similarly, the act of biting one's fingernails fulfils the need for oral stimulation. Overeating may be associated with early life neglect in food consumption, leading to emotional conflicts and excess oral needs in adulthood.
In children, oral fixation may manifest as a constant need to chew on various items, including plastic. While this behaviour is typical during the oral developmental stage, some children continue chewing non-food items past the teething phase. Chewing can serve as a calming mechanism, especially for children with Autism and/or sensory processing issues. They may seek oral stimulation to manage overwhelming sensory input from lights, sounds, and touch.
The treatment for oral fixation typically involves reducing or stopping negative oral behaviours and replacing them with positive alternatives. Therapy plays a crucial role, helping individuals explore underlying emotional conflicts and develop healthier coping strategies. For example, a mental health specialist might address the emotions that trigger nail-biting and suggest chewing gum or using chewable jewellery as alternative outlets for oral stimulation.
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Sensory stimulation
Chewing on plastic and other inedible objects is a common behaviour in children, especially during the teething and mouthing/teething stages. While some children outgrow this habit with time and parental guidance, others may continue to chew non-food items well into adulthood.
Children with Autism and/or sensory processing disorder (SPD) often use chewing as a calming mechanism. The repetitive motion of chewing helps block out other distractions and provides a sense of control over their environment. It is important to understand that, in most cases, children who chew on plastic do not want to chew, but rather, they need to chew. Their bodies are telling them that they need to engage in this behaviour, and they are simply responding to that need.
If your child is exhibiting a strong urge to chew on plastic or other non-food items, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider or paediatric occupational therapist. These specialists can help determine if the chewing behaviour is related to sensory stimulation or other underlying causes. Additionally, they can provide targeted strategies, such as safe chewing alternatives, to ensure your child satisfies their chewing needs in a healthy and appropriate manner.
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Stress or anxiety
Chewing on plastic and other non-food items can be a sign of stress or anxiety. While it is a common stage of oral development for babies and toddlers to put things in their mouths, some children continue to chew non-food items well past the teething stage. This behaviour can continue into adulthood.
Chewing is a natural stress reliever, and research suggests that it may help reduce hormone levels associated with stress. People often find themselves chewing gum, their nails, or their clothing when they are feeling anxious. For children, this can include chewing on plastic toys, pencils, erasers, shirt collars, and other items within reach.
The act of chewing provides proprioceptive input to the jaw, which is very calming and organising. It is similar to other self-soothing techniques, such as biting fingernails or pacing back and forth, and helps individuals cope with stress. The stress could be related to everyday situations, such as frustration, anger, or tiredness, or it could be triggered by new experiences, such as starting school. The intensity of chewing typically increases with the level of stress and the child's ability to manage it.
In some cases, stress-induced chewing may be a tic or a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB). Tics are automatic, involuntary, and repetitive movements or vocalisations that can be worsened by anxiety and stress. BFRBs, on the other hand, are voluntary behaviours that involve repetitive grooming actions directed at one's own body, such as nail-biting or skin-biting. While individuals with BFRBs acknowledge that the behaviour is a choice, they may find it extremely difficult to stop.
If you are concerned about your child's chewing behaviour, it is recommended to consult a paediatrician or an occupational therapist for guidance and support.
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Boredom or habit
Chewing on plastic could be a result of boredom or habit. Some children chew on plastic and other inedible objects like clothing, pens, and toys because they are bored. Chewing on plastic could also be a learned habit, similar to nail-biting. If you suspect that your child is chewing on plastic because they are bored, try engaging them in activities that will keep them busy.
If your child is chewing excessively, without a clear cause, and/or is having trouble stopping, contact their healthcare provider. They may refer you to a pediatric occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist, who can help identify the root cause of your child's behavior and provide targeted strategies to reduce it.
If your child is exhibiting a need to chew, it is important to provide them with a safe alternative, such as chewable necklaces, bracelets, or pencil toppers. These alternatives ensure that your child can satisfy their need to chew in a safe and appropriate way.
It is worth noting that for some individuals, the need to chew may be related to oral motor input. Providing them with a proper outlet to chew on can help regulate, calm, and focus them. In some cases, a chew tool alone may not be sufficient, especially if the chewing is aggressive or overwhelming. Consulting a pediatrician or occupational therapist can help determine if additional support or strategies are needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Chewing on plastic could be a sign of an oral fixation, which is a typical stage of oral development for babies and toddlers. However, some children continue this behaviour well past the teething stage. If your son is chewing excessively, you should contact a healthcare provider.
There are many reasons why your son may be chewing on plastic. Some children chew when they are stressed, anxious, or bored. Chewing can also be a form of self-soothing for children with sensory processing difficulties.
You can help your son stop chewing on plastic by providing him with a safe alternative, such as a chewable necklace or bracelet. These alternatives can help redirect your son's chewing behaviour and ensure he chews in a safe and appropriate way.
There are many safe alternatives to plastic that your son can chew on, such as chewable necklaces, bracelets, and pencil toppers. These alternatives are designed to be chewed on and can help your son satisfy his chewing needs in a safe and comfortable way.
Chewing on plastic can pose several risks to your son's health and safety. Plastic can contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous if ingested. Additionally, chewing on plastic can be a choking hazard and may also damage your son's teeth. It is important to monitor your son's chewing behaviour and provide safe alternatives to reduce these risks.
