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

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 2min after oral administrations of sucrose or xylitol and water. Sine wave current stimulation (2kHz, 250Hz and 5Hz, SWCS) which can stimulate sensory nerve fiber selectively (A β , A δ 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.