By Brian Evans – Founder of Chew Necklace UK
One of the questions I get asked regularly is:
“How long should a chew necklace last?”
And unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer.
I’ve been selling chewelry since 2014, and I’ve seen exactly how differently people use these products.
One person might gently chew their necklace occasionally and get many months of use from it.
Another person might give it a serious workout every single day and need to replace it much sooner.
That’s not necessarily because one product is better than the other.
It’s because chewing is chewing.
And eventually, even the best-made chew product will show signs of wear.
So rather than asking “How many months should it last?”, I’d ask a more important question:
“What condition is it in?”
Don’t Wait for It to Break
This is probably the biggest point I’d like parents and carers to take away from this article.
You shouldn’t wait until a chew necklace breaks before replacing it.
Chewelry is designed to be used, and regular chewing will naturally cause wear over time.
Think about your child’s favourite pair of shoes.
You don’t necessarily throw them away because they’ve suddenly fallen apart.
You replace them when they’ve become too worn to do the job properly.
Chewelry is similar.
Regular inspection is important.
1. Look for Visible Damage
This is the obvious one.
Take a good look at the product.
With silicone chewelry, check for:
- Cracks
- Splits
- Cuts
- Deep bite marks
- Tears
- Changes in shape
- Excessive surface damage
If you can see significant damage, stop using it and replace it.
Don’t think:
“It’ll probably be alright for another week.”
It might be.
But why take the chance?
2. Check the Areas That Get Chewed Most
Don’t just glance at the necklace and think it looks okay.
Look closely at the area where your child normally chews.
That’s usually where you’ll see the most wear.
A product can look almost perfect everywhere else while the section receiving the most chewing has become significantly worn.
This is particularly important with children who chew using their back teeth.
They can put a tremendous amount of force through a relatively small area.
3. Fabric Chewelry Needs Checking Too
It’s easy to think that because fabric is soft, it doesn’t need the same sort of inspection.
It does.
With fabric chew necklaces and bracelets, look for:
- Fraying
- Loose threads
- Tears
- Seams beginning to open
- Excessive thinning
- Changes to the shape or structure
A little normal wear isn’t necessarily a reason to panic.
But significant deterioration is a reason to replace it.
4. Has the Chewing Changed?
This is something I think gets overlooked.
Perhaps your child used to gently chew their necklace.
Now they’re biting much harder.
Or perhaps they’ve started using their back teeth rather than their front teeth.
That change matters.
The product is suddenly being subjected to considerably more force.
If your child’s chewing behaviour has changed, I’d increase the frequency of your inspections.
5. Does It Look Different From When You Bought It?
This is a surprisingly simple test.
Put the product next to a new one, if you have one.
You’ll often notice things you didn’t see before.
Perhaps the surface has become rougher.
Perhaps the shape has changed.
Perhaps the material has become thinner in one particular area.
Perhaps the necklace simply looks tired.
Trust your judgement.
If you’re looking at it and thinking:
“I’m not sure about this anymore.”
I’d replace it.
A new chew product is considerably cheaper than worrying about whether an old one is still suitable.
What About Small Bite Marks?
This is where things can become a little confusing.
Some bite marks are simply evidence that the product is being used.
That’s not automatically a reason to throw it away.
The important thing is the extent of the wear.
Small surface marks may be quite different from deep cuts, splits or areas where the material has become badly damaged.
There’s no magic number of bite marks that tells you when a product needs replacing.
Use common sense and inspect the actual condition of the product.
If you’re unsure, I’d err on the side of caution.
How Often Should You Check a Chew Necklace?
There’s no universal timetable because everyone’s chewing habits are different.
For a child who uses a chew necklace occasionally, checking it regularly may be sufficient.
For a child who is a heavy or aggressive chewer, I’d make inspection part of the routine.
A quick check doesn’t take long.
Look at it.
Feel it.
Check the areas that are being chewed.
Look for anything that wasn’t there previously.
It can become as routine as checking whether shoes need replacing or whether a favourite toy has become damaged.
What About the Clasp?
If the chew necklace has a breakaway clasp, don’t forget to check that as well.
Make sure the clasp and connection points remain in good condition.
If any part of the necklace becomes damaged or compromised, discontinue use.
And if the product has a safety feature such as a breakaway clasp, don’t modify it or replace it with a different type of fastening.
The safety design is there for a reason.
Can You Make a Chew Necklace Last Longer?
You can certainly look after it properly, but there’s a limit.
A chew necklace is a product that’s deliberately being subjected to repeated biting.
Eventually, wear is inevitable.
You can help by:
- Following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
- Storing it appropriately when not being used
- Inspecting it regularly
- Not allowing it to be used for purposes other than chewing
- Replacing it when it becomes significantly worn
But please don’t fall into the trap of thinking:
“I’ll make it last as long as possible.”
The aim shouldn’t be to squeeze another six months out of an old chew necklace.
The aim should be to keep the product in appropriate condition for use.
What If Your Child Is Destroying Chewelry Very Quickly?
This is where I’d take a step back.
If you’re replacing chew necklaces every few days or weeks because they’re becoming badly damaged, simply buying another “stronger” one may not be the whole answer.
It could be worth looking at:
What are they getting from the chewing?
When is it happening?
How hard are they chewing?
Are there particular situations that trigger it?
And whether there are other sensory strategies that could be useful.
A suitably qualified occupational therapist or other professional can sometimes help you understand the wider sensory picture.
I think that’s important advice, even though I sell chew products myself.
One Thing I’ve Learned Since 2014
Parents sometimes feel guilty when a chew necklace gets damaged.
They’ll contact us and say:
“I’m really sorry, they’ve destroyed it.”
My answer is usually:
Don’t apologise.
That’s what it’s there for.
The important thing isn’t whether your child has managed to put some serious wear into it.
The important thing is recognising when that wear has gone too far.
A chew necklace isn’t supposed to last forever.
It’s a consumable sensory product.
The more it’s used, the more frequently it may need replacing.
That’s just reality.
My Simple Rule
If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this:
If you’re questioning whether it’s time to replace it, give it a really thorough inspection.
And if you find cracks, splits, tears, significant fraying, deep bite damage or any other concerning deterioration:
Stop using it and replace it.
Don’t wait for it to fail completely.
💡 Brian’s Tip
Take a photograph of the chew necklace when it’s new.
It sounds a bit excessive, but it gives you something to compare against later.
After several months of use, you may not notice gradual changes because you’ve seen the product every day.
Put the original photograph next to it and you’ll often spot wear much more easily.
It’s a simple little trick—and it costs nothing.
About Brian
I’m Brian Evans, founder of Chew Necklace UK.
I’ve been involved with chewelry and sensory products since 2014, and over those years I’ve learned that honest advice is just as important as the products themselves.
Chewelry can be incredibly useful for some people, but it isn’t indestructible and it isn’t suitable for everyone.
That’s why I prefer to talk honestly about what these products can—and can’t—do.
If you’d like to look at our range of chew necklaces and sensory products, visit Chew Necklace UK or Chewelry UK.
And remember: check it regularly, replace it when it’s worn, and when in doubt, play it safe.