Abstract
Pediatric chronic orofacial pain (OFP) is an umbrella term which refers to pain associated with the hard and soft tissues of the head, face, and neck lasting >3 months in patients younger than 18 years of age. Common chronic pediatric OFP diagnoses include temporomandibular disorder, headaches, and neuropathic pain. Chronic OFP can adversely affect youth's daily functioning and development in many areas of well-being, and may be associated with emotional stress, depression, functional avoidance, and poor sleep, among other negative outcomes. In this mini-review, we will discuss common psychological comorbidities and familial factors that often accompany chronic pediatric OFP conditions. We will also discuss traditional management approaches for pediatric orofacial pain including education, occlusal appliances, and psychological treatments such as relaxation, mindfulness-based interventions, and cognitive-behavioral treatments. Finally, we highlight avenues for future research, as a better understanding of chronic OFP comorbidities in childhood has the potential to prevent long-term pain-related disability in adulthood.
Highlights
Pediatric orofacial pain (OFP) is an umbrella term which refers to pain associated with hard and soft tissues of the head, face, and neck in patients younger than 18 years of age [1]
Though speculative given the paucity of research examining the social ramifications of pediatric temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain, it is certainly conceivable that making these types of adjustments to one’s daily life and experiencing difficulties with basic social functions could be embarrassing, anxiety-provoking, and stigmatizing for children and adolescents
Despite the prevalence and impact of chronic pediatric OFP conditions, much remains to be learned about the etiology, biopsychosocial comorbidities, and long-term prognosis
Summary
Pediatric orofacial pain (OFP) is an umbrella term which refers to pain associated with hard and soft tissues of the head, face, and neck in patients younger than 18 years of age [1]. The most common chronic pediatric OFP complaints include temporomandibular disorder (TMD), headaches, and neuropathic pain (NP) [2]. Parents and other caregivers play important roles in shaping children’s pain experience, and pain in youth affects well-being and functioning in multiple domains. The aims of this mini-review are to describe each of these common chronic pediatric OFP conditions, discuss the roles of psychological, familial and social factors pertinent to conceptualizing the experiences of youth with OFP, and provide a brief overview of evidence-based treatment approaches for children and adolescents with chronic OFP conditions
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