While visiting a loved one in AL via videoconference, I had to stop them from eating a tissue. This is a new behavior. Is this common with dementia patients? I called the front desk and they responded immediately removing the tissues, but in an effort to be proactive, what can we do other than remove anything that's not edible that can fit in their mouth?
My Husband chewed on just about anything.
I would cover his legs and lap with a blanket and he would bring it up to his chin and begin chewing on it. I have cloth napkins that are used and there are many that he chewed. I would give him a piece of cloth to chew on and if that fell from his hand he would begin chewing on his fingers.
I did find Baby teething rings that he would chew. Believe it or not some dog toys as well. The dog toys are sturdier than baby teething rings since dogs teeth and jaws have more PSI they tended to last longer.
He would also chew on his shirt collars. Funny thing is when his son was real little he would chew on his shirt collars and I would try to discourage it and my Husband told me he did the same when he was little.
So find something safe and soft for them to chew on if this is going to be a "thing".
And I have to comment or ask... Is your loved one is in Memory Care or Assisted Living? the concern that I would have with AL is your loved one could decide to leave the facility. It might be time to think about MC rather than AL
In the meantime, there is a product called Chewelry which is 'jewelry' to wear that is intended to be chewed on; for people with disabilities who put harmful things into their mouths, here's something that ISN'T:
https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2or8BRCNARIsAC_ppyZFnwhHeiancgp0iKMJotO24TFNolCrRM5u-16IyZqkmPCbs95_QWoaAoazEALw_wcB
Good luck!