The efficacy of administrating a sweet-tasting solution for reducing the pain related to dental injections in children: A randomized controlled trial

Background Anaesthetic injections are an unpleasant experience for children in the dental office. Oral intake of sweet substances by newborns has been shown to be effective in reducing pain. Aim The purpose of this study was to determine whether a prior administration of a sweet-tasting solution has an effect on dental injection pain. Design A total 60 healthy children needing bilateral maxillary primary canine extraction were included in this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. In the test side, dental injection (local infiltration) was applied after the patient received a sweet-tasting solution, while in the control side sterile water was administered. The patients' demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and sweet taste preference were recorded. Pain perception during injection was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) and sound, eye, body movement (SEM). Results Mean VAS (28.30 +/- 6.43) and SEM (2.14 +/- 0.78) in the test side were lower than the control side (45.80 +/- 7.17 and 2.95 +/- 1.00). It was shown that higher BMI was associated with reduction in the analgesic effect, while the individual's tendency to sweetness increased pain reduction. Conclusions Sweet taste administration before dental injections in children helps to control the associated pain. This effect is influenced by the individual's sweet taste tendency and BMI.