Have you ever bought a chew, only to find it bitten through within a week? Or picked one that looked perfect, then watched it sit in a drawer? Very often, the problem is strength.
Getting the firmness right makes a big difference to whether a chew gets used, and how long it lasts. Here's how to work out what you, or the person you're buying for, might need.
Why strength matters
- Too soft, and a keen chewer can get through it quickly. That means more replacements, and a chew that needs checking often.
- Too firm, and it can feel unsatisfying or uncomfortable. It ends up ignored, and the sleeves and pencils come back out.
The sweet spot is a chew with enough resistance to feel good and enough give to be comfortable.
Signs of a gentler chewer
You might lean towards the softer end if you (or your child):
- mostly suck, mouth or nibble rather than bite down hard
- like things that are bendy, springy and squishy
- rarely leave marks on pens, pencils or sleeves
- have had chews last a long time without damage
Signs of a stronger chewer
You might need something firmer if you notice:
- holes in sleeves, collars or hoodie strings
- pencils and pen lids with deep bite marks or cracks
- chews wearing out quickly
- a lot of chewing with the back teeth (molars)
Front teeth or back teeth?
Strength isn't the only thing to think about. Where the chewing happens matters too. Some people nibble with their front teeth, and others want something they can get right to the back.
Our Infinity pendant is 7cm long and was created for molar chewers, who often find other pendants don't reach. The Toggle Board is long enough to support molar chewing too. The Nurture pendant is great for nibblers and front-teeth chewers.
Texture counts
Texture changes how a chew feels, even at the same strength:
- Nubs and bumps, like the back of the Cat and Skull pendants, give extra texture for tactile seekers.
- Smooth and glossy, like the Jazz pendant and Bonnie Bangle, are soothing to stroke as well as chew.
- Hollow, like Chubes, give a different, squashier bite.
Buying for someone else?
If you're choosing for a child, partner or friend, a little detective work helps. Have a look at the things they already chew. A pencil with light dents points to a gentler chewer, while a hoodie string chewed right through suggests they'll want something firmer. Think about where they'll use it, too. Someone who can't bear anything round their neck may be happier with a bangle like the Bermuda or Bonnie, or a clip-on such as the Chewipal. And if you can, let them pick the colour and shape, so it feels like theirs from day one.
Our range, from gentler to firmer
Here's a rough guide based on how each product feels:
Gentler
- Dog Tags: super flexible, springy and bouncy. Great for people who chew softly or like to suck.
- Twister Bangles: designed with younger chewers in mind and super for lighter chewers.
Medium
- Chunk pendant: our mid-range pendant, and a great starter for learning about your chewing strength.
- Realm Ring: springy and squishy, and you can fold it over for an extra tough chew.
- Skull pendant: a firm chew that still has some give.
Firmer
- Nurture pendant: one of our most robust pendants, with a heavier, weighted feel.
- Bijoux Berries: a chunky, robust pendant with a weighted feeling.
Everyone's jaw is different, so treat this as a starting point rather than a rule.
Not sure? Try a few and watch
The easiest way to find your strength is to try more than one. Pick three pendants that step up in firmness: Dog Tags, then Chunk, then Nurture.
Use them for a couple of weeks and keep an eye out for:
- which one gets reached for most
- which one feels "just right" rather than too squishy or too hard
- whether any start to show wear quickly (that's a sign to go firmer)
Once you know where you sit, choosing your next chew is much easier. You can also take our four-question "Find Your Perfect Chew" quiz on the Chewigem homepage.
A few safety basics
- Check chews regularly. Everything wears eventually when it's chewed. We recommend throwing a chew away at the very first sign of wear and tear.
- Chew the chew, not the cord. Cords and clasps aren't made for chewing.
- Necklaces aren't suitable for under 3s, because of the cord.
- Supervise children, especially while they're getting used to a new chew.
- Ask for advice if you need it. If chewing is very intense or you're worried, an occupational therapist or your GP can help you think about what's right.
Finding the right strength can take a little trial and error, and that's completely normal. When you find the one that fits, it makes all the difference.
Sources
- Product descriptions and firmness wording: chewigem.com product pages (linked above)
- Necklace age guidance: Chewigem product listing ("Necklaces are not suitable for under 3 yrs old due to the necklace cord")