Complete Guide to Chew Necklaces

Last updated: 12 April 2026 · Chewel

A chew necklace is a pendant made from food-grade silicone, worn around the neck and chewed when the need arises. It provides oral proprioceptive input — the kind of deep, calming pressure that helps the nervous system regulate itself. This guide covers everything you need to know: what it is, who uses it, how it works, which hardness to choose, how to keep it clean, and how to use one at school.

What Is a Chew Necklace?

A chew necklace — also called a chew pendant or chewing necklace — is a wearable sensory aid. The pendant hangs from a breakaway cord or lanyard and is made from food-grade silicone: the same material used in baby teats, kitchen utensils, and medical devices. It is designed to be chewed safely.

Unlike a teething ring (which is designed for babies 0–3 years to relieve teething pain), a chew necklace is designed for children aged 4 and above, teenagers, and adults who have a sensory need to chew. The two products look superficially similar but serve entirely different purposes. See our comparison: chew necklace vs teething ring.

Shapes include pendants, triangles, T-rex shapes, discs, tubes, and many others. The shape affects how much surface area is available to chew and which parts of the mouth provide the most input. Children often have strong preferences — letting them choose their own design increases the chance they will actually wear and use it.

Who Uses a Chew Necklace?

You do not need a diagnosis to use a chew necklace. However, they are particularly well-suited to:

• Children with ADHD — who often seek additional stimulation to maintain focus (see: chew necklaces for ADHD)
• Autistic children and adults — for whom oral stimming is a common and valid self-regulation strategy
• Highly sensitive people (HSP) — who may find that chewing provides grounding during sensory overload
• Children who bite their nails — giving them a safer, more hygienic outlet for the same oral sensory need
• Children who chew on clothes — sleeves, collars, and school ties are common targets when there is no better option available
• Adults at work — particularly in open-plan offices where focus is difficult
• People with tics — a chew necklace may provide an outlet, though it does not treat or cure tics

How Do Chew Necklaces Work?

The jaw is one of the most powerful sources of proprioceptive input in the body. Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement — the "hidden sense" that tells your brain where your body is in space without you having to look. When you chew, the muscles and joints of the jaw send rich proprioceptive signals to the brain.

Research suggests that these signals interact with the nervous system's arousal level. The Yerkes-Dodson curve shows that there is an optimal level of arousal for performance — too low and we cannot focus, too high and we become overwhelmed. For children who are under-aroused (daydreaming, sluggish) or over-aroused (restless, overwhelmed), chewing may help shift arousal toward the optimal zone.

A 2015 study by Hirano et al. found that chewing a piece of gum improved sustained attention and reduced response time errors. A 2019 meta-analysis by Miquel et al. confirmed that chewing produced measurable improvements in attention across multiple studies. Yaman-Sözbir et al. (2019) found that students who chewed gum during an exam had lower cortisol levels (a marker of stress) and higher test scores.

Full detail: how chew necklaces work — the science and chewing and concentration: what does the research say?

Choosing the Right Chew Necklace: Hardness

This is the single most important decision when buying a chew necklace. A chew necklace that is too soft for a firm chewer will be destroyed quickly — and potentially become a safety concern. One that is too firm for a light chewer won't provide enough input to satisfy the need.

Full guidance: chew necklace hardness — mild, firm, or intensive?

Safety

Chewel chew necklaces are independently tested and CE-certified. The food-grade silicone used is:

• BPA-free (bisphenol A, a plasticiser linked to health concerns)
• PVC-free
• Lead-free
• Phthalate-free
• Food-grade: safe for oral contact

The breakaway cord is designed to release under pressure, reducing the risk of strangulation. Inspect the cord and pendant regularly for signs of wear. When the silicone shows hairline cracks or changes texture, it is time to replace it.

Silicone tears rather than shattering into hard pieces — but any torn or heavily worn chew necklace should be replaced.

Full safety information: is a chew necklace safe?

Using a Chew Necklace at School

One of the most common questions parents ask is: "Will the teacher allow it?" In most cases, yes — if it is introduced properly. A chew necklace is a sensory aid, not a toy or a distraction. It can actually reduce disruptive behaviour in the classroom by meeting a sensory need before it escalates.

Research by Kounin (1970) on classroom management suggests that a calm, regulated child creates a calming ripple effect on the class around them. A child who is successfully self-regulating with a chew necklace is less likely to disrupt others.

Tips for introducing a chew necklace at school:

• Write a short note to the class teacher explaining what it is and why your child needs it
• If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or a SENCO, involve them
• Choose a discreet design — a pendant that looks like a piece of jewellery is less likely to attract unwanted attention
• Establish a clear rule with your child: the chew necklace stays around the neck or in the mouth, not in hands

Full guide: chew necklaces at school

Cleaning Your Chew Necklace

A chew necklace goes in the mouth — so hygiene matters. The good news is that food-grade silicone is non-porous and easy to clean.

• Daily: rinse under warm running water and allow to air-dry
• Weekly: wash with mild soap and rinse thoroughly
• Dishwasher: most silicone chew necklaces are top-rack dishwasher safe — check product instructions
• Avoid: bleach, harsh chemicals, UV sterilisers (these can degrade silicone over time)

Full guide: how to clean a chew necklace

How Long Does a Chew Necklace Last?

This depends almost entirely on how intensely the person chews. A gentle chewer may get many months from a single pendant. A very strong chewer may get through one in a few weeks. The correct hardness selection is the best way to extend lifespan — an Intensive chewer using a Mild necklace will destroy it quickly.

Signs it is time to replace:

• Hairline cracks in the silicone
• Pieces starting to come away
• Significant change in texture or colour
• The cord shows fraying

Full guide: how long does a chew necklace last?

Chew Necklaces vs Other Sensory Tools

A chew necklace is one of several sensory tools available. It addresses oral proprioceptive input — the sensory channel of the jaw. Other tools address other channels:

• Fidget toys address tactile input through the hands — suitable for those who need to keep their hands busy rather than their mouth
• Wobble cushions address vestibular input — movement and balance
• Weighted blankets and lap pads address deep pressure touch

Chew necklaces and fidget toys are complementary — some children use both. See: chew necklace vs fidget toys — which is right for your child?

All Chew Necklace Topics