Catriona M. However, in the world of swallowing disorders dysphagia , bread is known as one of the most chokable foods. Therefore, it is so important to analyze it from an eating and swallowing safety standpoint, especially as bread can not only give life, but it can take a life too β in the form of a choking event airway blockage or asphyxiation!
This article will address the choking risks with bread and its many complexities. So, fortunately, the Scottish writer, D. He noted that it should only be on a Regular level diet. Catriona Steele and Dr. Julie Cichero. We addressed the oral processing and pharyngeal phase issues with bread and the inherent choking risks with bread. I will try my best to share facts, references, and expert opinions from these esteemed speech pathologists and IDDSI.
This decision is based on the choking literature where bread is often identified as a cause of choking Irwin et al. Bread and sandwiches require the ability to both bite and chew. Although bread looks and feels soft, it cannot be easily mashed or broken down into particles of 4mm or smaller due to its fibrous nature. In fact, the number of chewing strokes, chewing strength and stamina required to make bread swallow-safe are about the same as those required to chew and swallow peanuts safely Hoebler et al.
Individuals who tire easily while chewing may find bread difficult to chew to a small enough size to be swallow-safe.
Bread also requires softening with saliva for effective chewing Hoebler et al. For individuals with dry mouth e. Bread does not dissolve when wet but does become sticky. Sticky or adhesive foods are also considered a choking risk Irwin et al. The ability to safely manage bread and sandwiches should be assessed on a case-by-case basis by a dysphagia specialist.
