Effect of sweet solutions on pain tolerance threshold in pediatric oral mucosa

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PURPOSE: We examined the effects of sweet taste stimulation on pain tolerance threshold (PTT) of oral mucosa in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects comprised 10 children (mean age, 7.3 ± 1.2 years) for whom PTT of oral mucosa was measured 2 min after oral administrations of sucrose or xylitol and water. Sine wave current stimulation (2 kHz, 250 Hz and 5 Hz, SWCS) which can stimulate sensory nerve fiber selectively (Aβ, Aδ and C) was used to measure PTT. RESULTS: Sweet taste stimulation with sucrose or xylitol increased oral mucosa PTT in children, but not in adults. No difference in the increased PTT was seen between sucrose and xylitol. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of sucrose and xylitol may potentially relieve pain associated with local anesthetic injections in children.