A two-stage injection technique could cause less pain

A two-stage injection technique could cause less pain for children, according to a study published in the journal Anesthesia Progress.

The study looked into ways to reduce the pain associated with local anaesthetic injections, focusing on children between seven and 13 years of age. It was found that by placing a gel anaesthetic in the gum area, depositing a small amount of injectable anaesthetic, and then waiting five minutes, the full injection was far less painful.

"It’s a simple and effective means of reducing injection pain in children," the authors concluded about the two-stage injection.

Pain levels reported by children were significantly reduced using the two-stage injection.