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

PurposeWe examined the effects of sweet taste stimulation on pain tolerance threshold (PTT) of oral mucosa in children.Subjects and methodsSubjects 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.ResultsSweet 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.ConclusionsOral administration of sucrose and xylitol may potentially relieve pain associated with local anesthetic injections in children.