6 Year Old Putting Small Objects in His Mouth and Chewing Them Continuely

Have you spoken to his doctor about it? It may be that he has a medical condition that is driving this need to chew on non-food items. For instance, pica is a disorder where people want to eat non-food items. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I developed this condition and felt like I wanted to eat chalk (?!). I went to my doctor, and he determined that I needed a lot more calcium in my diet. Once I had corrected the calcium issue, the chalk craving went away.

My other thought is that it could be a type of OCD (especially since your husband also does it, and these types of disorders can run in families). If that's the case, anti-anxiety medications or therapies may help resolve the issue.

I'd definitely check in with the doctor first and see what s/he recommends.

I agree to check with your dentist and to also look into the sensory disorder. I have a ten year old son that has sensory disorders ajd that has high functioning autism, Asbergers. While you are getting with doctors, there are some things to do in the mean time. First things, give him something that is appropriate for him to chew on. Go find a $5 chew toy from the baby section that is made for chewing. Because he has good teeth, still check the toy to make sure he has not chewed through it. Remember, if this is a sensory disorder, dont punish him harshly. Children with sensory disorders chew unconsciously. When they be ome stressed, this is their coping mechanism. When he starts chew, make a mental note of what is happening around you. You will be asked lots of questions about how he responds to light, sound, smells, being touched, what is touching him, the teture of things, how close he allows others to be to him, etc. This is all sensory related.
If this is the is the issue, it can be very confusing at first, but it is well worth the struggle. Before I struggled to connect with my son. Now I understand what speaks love to him and how to show him.
Good look!!!!

My nephew does this. He has a Sensory Disorder. (I think it's sensory integration disorder, but I don't remember. It IS some sort of sensory thing, though.) I see a sensory diet was mentioned below, and that has helped him.
I'm not one to say a child needs a diagnosis, because he/she exhibits one symptom. BUT, are there any other things he does, as far as sensory seeking goes? My nephew has difficulty with transitions, is incredibly overwhelmed when overstimulated...which does cause him anxiety. I think he chews, because of sensory and anxiety reasons. Anyway, I think you should mention this to your Dr. Not only is this dangerous to chew on these things, but your doctor's opinions could shed light on other areas of your son's life. I wonder, does he have quirks you have often wondered about, or seem atypical?

Chewing really hard gum -- think super bubble or bazooka -- is one of the tools used by my daughter's OT for sensory issues, as it helps with the mouth muscles and helps organize.

As others have mentioned, the chewing or mouthing of non-food items, as well as the chewing on shirt colors, is a symptom associated with a sensory processing disorder. See if you can get an evaluation with an Occupational Therapist trained in sensory processing disorders.

There are various levels of acceptance and understanding of sensory processing disorder among professionals, and it may not be recognized by the schools and pediatrician or validated by them. The AAP likes for sensory processing to carry an addtional diagnosis, so your doctor may push to find an additional diagnosis. My own experience has been that they are really stretching to find a way to make my daughter fit another diagnosis that they can't seem to make fit without stretching the diagnostic criteria and definition of the other diagnosis which to me means that they're struggling to find an additiona diagnosis that is likely inaccurate diagnosis rather than accept the sensory diagnosis confirmed through at least six different recognized tests and that she fits 100% without having to stretch or struggle to recognize is an issue. The reason they like an additional diagnosis is that the AAP has not agreed on standard diagnostic measures for Sensory Processing. It is not that it cannot exist on its own as much as it is that the American Academy of Pediatrics isn't comfortable with that. So, another diagnosis may or may not be warranted, but they will definitely push to try to make something fit. At the same time, if another diagnosis can be added, you will likely get greater assistance with resources than if one cannot, as insurance likes to have an additional diagnosis before paying for private therapy and as the schools like another diagnosis to support providing their services. So, he may have several issues or it may just be sensory. You'd have to have him evaluated to know.

This is actually a disorder called PICA, not sure on the spelling. Try googling it, maybe they will have some information on what to do or at least enough info that you could take to your doctor.
I would get him a lot of gum, maybe if he chews that he will stop chewing everything else.

I would also check with a pediatric dentist. He may have some tooth that takes after dad that is out of alignment with the other teeth or something. He might chew to make it feel better.

It can't hurt to get the pediatric dentist to do a full check up. He might be actually wearing off the enamel too, that might need to be sealed or bonded to seal holes that are already wearing thin.

Mouthing objects is something my autistic daughter does as part of her Autism and Sensory Integration Disorder. It's very much sensory-seeking behavior. The problems with it are that it can be a choking hazard, a poison hazard, and it can wear teeth down horribly. My daughter's baby teeth are worn down to nubs just above the gums... it's ridiculous.

One of our solutions has been to feed her a frequent daily sensory diet to help stimulate her senses when needed, and give her a safe place to be when she needs a break from sensory input. I found her some wonderful chewlery, specifically made for chewing and mouthing and biting safely and can be worn around the neck like a necklace.

Does your son engage in other sensory seeking behaviors? Is he on the Autism Spectrum? Or ADHD or other neurological disorder?