Numerous health problems may require a soft diet. According to the Medical Dictionary website, a soft diet is a one limited to soft-textured, easily-digestible and well-tolerated foods. A soft diet provides you with essential nutrients in the form of liquids and semisolid foods, such as milk, fruit juices, eggs, cheese, strained soups, rice, fish, mashed potatoes and certain breads and cereals. A soft diet may be prescribed by your physician for a number of conditions.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a health problem that may require a soft diet. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, or NIDCD, if you have dysphagia, you have difficulty swallowing, and may even experience pain while swallowing. In some cases, you may not be able to swallow certain foods, which makes getting enough nutrients and calories extremely difficult. Dysphagia can be caused by numerous factors, including weak tongue or cheek muscles, decreased swallowing reflex due to stroke, nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson's disease, esophageal infection, certain types of cancers, trauma, certain birth defects and weak throat muscles. If you have dysphagia, you may benefit from a soft diet or a feeding tube that bypasses the part of your swallowing mechanism that is not functioning properly. You may also benefit from muscle exercises to strengthen your facial muscles and improve your swallowing coordination.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is a common health problem or outcome that requires a soft diet. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or AAOMS, states that if you have had oral or maxillofacial surgery, you may have difficulty consuming enough nutrients to help facilitate healing of your injured tissues. The presence of surgical incisions around your mouth and postoperative swelling in the affected area can make it difficult for you to chew and swallow normally. Oral surgery may involve teeth removal, placement of dental implants, biopsies and other procedures. According to the AAOMS, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon may put you on a liquid or soft diet for a short period, which increases your comfort, allows you to get the nutrients you require for healing and helps you avoid damaging your surgical site. Avoid consuming carbonated drinks, drinking through a straw, mouth rinsing and vigorous tooth brushing after oral surgery, as these activities can disrupt the clotting and healing of your injured tissues.
TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular, or TMJ, disorders are a health problem that may benefit, at least temporarily, from a soft diet. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, TMJ disorders are a collection of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in your jaw joints -- the joints that connect your jaw with your skull -- and the muscles that control jaw movement. The NIDCR estimates that over 10 million people in the United States have some type of TMJ disorder. TMJ disorders tend to affect women more often than men. Common signs and symptoms associated with TMJ disorders include radiating pain in your face, jaw or neck, stiffness of your jaw muscles, decreased TMJ active range of motion, changes in upper and lower jaw and teeth alignment and a popping or clicking sound with jaw movement. According to the NIDCR, consuming soft foods is an effective way to help reduce TMJ disorder-related symptoms.
