Eating is a natural act that seems inherent, yet for some individuals, it can become a significant challenge. Difficulties in accepting specific textures, a refusal of solid food, heightened gag reflex—oral aversion disorders affect both infants and adults and can severely impact one’s quality of life. Often linked to sensory sensitivities or neurological issues, these disorders require a tailored approach. How can they be identified? What factors contribute to their development? And most importantly, how can we prevent them from becoming entrenched?
When a child adamantly refuses certain foods, spits out pieces, or displays an exaggerated gag reflex, it is not necessarily just a whim.
Such behaviors may indicate an oral aversion disorder, a challenge faced by many children and adults alike. Often misunderstood, these disorders can lead to nutritional deficiencies and psychological complications if not addressed promptly.
Oral Aversion: When Eating Becomes a Struggle
What Is Oral Aversion?
Oral aversion refers to the various struggles related to putting food in the mouth, chewing, and swallowing. These challenges can be sensory, motor, or psychological in nature. Symptoms may include:
- A refusal of specific food types (textures, temperatures, particular flavors).
- Oral hypersensitivity (exaggerated reactions to textures or flavors).
- Hyporesponsiveness (lack of reaction to food stimuli, potentially leading to choking).
- Insufficient chewing or an inability to swallow correctly.
From Childhood to Adulthood: Who Suffers from Oral Aversion?
Oral aversion can affect various groups:
- Infants showing delays in introducing solid foods.
- Children born prematurely or with neurological conditions.
- Adults who have experienced trauma (stroke, maxillofacial surgery).
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing issues (ADHD).
Why Do Some Develop Oral Aversion?
Several factors can contribute to the development of oral aversion:
- Medical factors: gastroesophageal reflux, anatomical anomalies, neurological disorders.
- Sensory factors: hypersensitivity or hyporesponsiveness to textures and temperatures.
- Environmental factors: late introduction to solid foods, negative food experiences, parental stress.
- Psychological factors: anxiety, disrupted parent-child bonding, negative associations with eating.
Oral Aversion: How Can We Prevent It From Becoming Established?
Introducing Solid Foods: A Shield Against Oral Aversion
Introducing a variety of foods in the early months is crucial in preventing food refusals and developing good tolerance to different textures.
- Begin with smooth purees before gradually incorporating soft chunks around 8-9 months.
- Offer foods with varied flavors (sweet, salty, bitter, sour) to awaken the palate.
- Respect the child’s eating pace without force, to avoid forming negative associations.
Stimulating the Senses to Prevent Oral Aversion
Gradual exposure to different textures and smells can help avert food hypersensitivities:
- Encourage play with food to enhance touch and manipulation skills.
- Allow the child to explore odours and textures before tasting.
- Gradually introduce crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth foods to promote chewing skills.
Creating a Calm Environment
A peaceful setting and a caring approach are vital in preventing stress around eating:
- Avoid distractions such as screens to promote focus during meals.
- Establish routines and regular meal times.
- Do not pressure the child to eat but offer the same food multiple times in various forms.
How to Help Someone with Oral Aversion?
Oral Aversion: When and Why Consult a Specialist?
When oral aversion becomes established, early intervention is critical. Various professionals may be involved:
- The speech therapist: works on oro-facial movement coordination and swallowing.
- The dietitian: adapts diet based on individual capabilities.
- The psychologist: addresses anxiety-related issues linked to eating.
Practical Exercises to Overcome Oral Aversion
Certain exercises can improve texture tolerance and strengthen oral motor skills:
- Avoid distractions like screens during meals to encourage focus on the act of eating and related sensations.
- Establish a routine with regular meal times to create a comforting environment around food.
- Avoid forcing the child to eat, but present the same food multiple times in various forms. It may take up to 15 exposures for a child to accept a new food.
- Family meals provide an opportunity to demonstrate enjoyment in eating a variety of foods.
- Involve the child in meal preparation to pique their interest and curiosity about different foods.
Customized Meals: How to Adapt the Diet?
Diet adaptation is crucial for individuals experiencing oral aversion:
- For children with low oral motor skills, avoid foods that are excessively dry or hard to chew. Prioritize soft textures or thick purees.
- Vary temperatures and spices to stimulate the taste buds of those less sensitive to flavors. This may include introducing stronger tastes or contrasting temperatures within a dish.
- Experiment with different presentations such as vegetable sticks, thick purees, or melting bites to facilitate food acceptance. Visual appeal can greatly influence acceptance.
- Introduce new foods by pairing them with familiar flavors to create positive gustatory connections.
- Respect preferences while gently encouraging the exploration of new flavors and textures.
Oral aversion should not be underestimated. If detected early and managed with appropriate strategies, it is possible to mitigate its effects and significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected.
Addressing oral aversion requires a comprehensive approach, incorporating not only prevention but also dietary environment adaptations and, if necessary, interventions from specialized professionals.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Delaying the introduction of diverse textures can make mastering chewing more challenging. Recommendations suggest starting with melt-in-your-mouth pieces by 6 to 8 months, as this is when the child is actively exploring with their mouth. A late introduction can lead to a fear of solid food and long-lasting aversion.
