Written by Carewell Team on Wed May 21 2025.
Navigating life with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can bring about many questions and sometimes misconceptions. At Carewell, we believe in empowering caregivers and individuals with accurate information. That's why we're diving into some common myths about dysphagia, courtesy of our friends at Thick-It®, to bring clarity and understanding.
FACT: Oral hygiene is important for everyone—especially people with swallowing disorders. Think about it: even with a modified diet, tiny food particles can still linger in the mouth. When these mix with saliva, they can unfortunately find their way into the airway, potentially leading to serious complications like pneumonia or other lung infections. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including regular brushing and flossing (or using appropriate alternatives as recommended by a healthcare professional), is a crucial part of overall health and safety for individuals with dysphagia.
FACT: Not exactly. While minced or puréed textures are sometimes necessary, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework offers a broader range of options. Level 6, known as "Soft & Bite-Sized (SB6)," is actually one step above regular, easy-to-chew foods. These foods are specifically prepared to be bite-sized, soft, and tender, allowing some individuals with difficulty biting or managing larger pieces to still enjoy a more varied and appealing diet. Remember, always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate IDDSI level for an individual.
FACT: Watermelon is actually a “mixed” or “dual consistency” food. These types of foods are more challenging for people with dysphagia to swallow because the person must be able to manage both the solid and liquid components of the food. Understanding these mixed consistencies is vital for safe swallowing.
FACT: Like dry cakes, dry cookies, dry biscuits, and scones, graham cracker crumbs have a crumbly texture that can pose a choking risk. According to the IDDSI Framework, crumbly textures require good tongue control to combine the pieces with enough saliva to hold the food together to make it moist and safe to swallow. This highlights why seemingly small additions like graham cracker crumbs may not be suitable for all IDDSI levels.
FACT: Diet orders can be written on a case-by-case basis. But, any exceptions need to be clearly explained in simple statements to ensure that all caregivers understand how to prepare and serve food and drinks to their patients with dysphagia. Ambiguity can lead to unsafe food preparation and increase the risk of aspiration. Clear and concise instructions are paramount.
FACT: No one should feel left-out of holiday feasts and fun! With a little creativity and planning, there are many ways caregivers can help people with dysphagia participate in holiday celebrations and enjoy a higher quality of life. Modified textures and consistencies can often be achieved for many traditional dishes, ensuring everyone can partake in the festivities. For helpful tips on making holiday mealtime more dysphagia-friendly, check out this article: https://thickit.com/blog/2020/11/11/making-holiday-mealtime-dysphagia-friendly/.
Understanding the realities of dysphagia is essential for providing safe and fulfilling care. By debunking these common myths, we can empower caregivers and individuals to navigate the challenges with greater confidence and knowledge.
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Many family caregivers use food and drink thickeners to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable for loved ones with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Thickening agents, like Thick-It and ThickenUp, change the consistency of edibles and liquids, reducing the risk of coughing and choking.
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Many people who have trouble chewing and swallowing eat pureed foods. Purees are easy on the gums and reduce the risk of choking, but they can be challenging to serve. Especially if your loved one is a picky eater or fussy about food.
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