When you feel nervous, what’s your go-to stress relief? Biting your nails? Chewing gum? Gnawing on pen caps? Eating? If this sounds like you or your child, your actions may be saying that you expend nervous energy orally.
Chewing can fulfill a sensory need for many individuals (yes, even those without any sensory diagnoses), but can be especially helpful for individuals with anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, ADHD, or PTSD to name a few. The problem with fulfilling your sensory needs orally is that it often involves food, gum, or something damageable (i.e. your fingernails, shirt sleeves, pen caps, or your teeth).
So, feed your need to chew by choosing chewies instead! Chewies are oral fidgets that allow you to get your nervous energy out and fulfill your sensory needs orally, without the extra calories from food or the extra sugar from gum. As a school based, pediatric occupational therapist, I know how popular chewies are for kids in schools, especially where candy and gum are not allowed.
Chewies are a great solution for your need to chew, but not all chewies are created equal. As with anything you put into your mouth, you want to make sure it’s safe and non-toxic. Chewigem USA chewies are made from durable silicone that is free from lead, latex, BPA, PVC and phthalate. Plus, chewies and necklace strings are odorless, tasteless, and do not support the growth of mold on them. They are compliant with US toy standards and the necklace cords are adjustable and have a breakaway clasp for added safety.
The chewies from Chewigem USA are safe to chew on as they are strong enough to withstand frequent chewing yet flexible enough that they won’t ruin your teeth. Plus, they come in different levels of durability (mild, moderate, and moderate plus) to fit the specific needs of your child. It is important that you help your child take care of their teeth! Doing this and visiting a dentist who specializes in San Diego childrens dental care frequently will go a long way.
In addition to making a safe product, Chewigem USA has been able to merge fashion with functionality. These chewies are designed to look like popular necklaces designs, featuring those that look like: dog tags, hearts, skulls, cats, rings, etc..
Plus, Chewigem USA also makes chewies to look like bracelets and chewies that double as hand fidgets as well.
The style of these chewies makes them wearable for kids so they don’t feel “different” from everyone else. Most people won’t even realize that the chewies are actually “chewable” because they look so much like everyday accessories. Kids will want to wear these because they are discrete and fashionable but also because chewing on them makes kids feel better.
So whether your child has a diagnosed sensory need or is just nervous about a test at school, give these chewies from Chewigem USA a try. You may be pleasantly surprised by how easy it can be to feed your need to chew!
Kids Play Smarter is proud to partner with Chewigem USA to review this product for this sponsored post, and just for reading this article, use the code “KPS 10″ to receive a 10% discount on your order, now through Dec. 31, 2016.