All You Need to Know About Dental Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Several people suffer from anxiety before undergoing a dental procedure. Therefore, dentists recommend the use of nitrous oxide before an invasive treatment. As a part of relaxation or sedation dentistry, this gas is used widely by dentists to help patients overcome their fears and feel comfortable before receiving the treatment they have been long avoiding.
What is dental nitrous oxide?
Also known as laughing gas or nitrous, dental nitrous oxide is a colorless and odorless gas often used by dentists as a mild sedative to keep the patients relaxed and alleviate their fear and anxiety. It is administered before complex dental procedures like dental surgery, root canals, filling cavities, dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, or even cleaning. Nitrous oxide has been used as a sedative in clinical dentistry for more than 150 years. It is considered one of the safest and most well-established anesthetics for its purpose, as it works quickly, and its effects can be easily reversed.
How is dental nitrous oxide administered?
The dentist administers the laughing gas mixed with oxygen through a facemask, and the patient only has to breathe normally through the nose until the dental procedure ends. The patient may feel a slight tingling sensation in the arms and legs, lightheadedness, or numbness in just a few minutes. This gas does not make you unconscious and allows you to communicate comfortably with the dentist throughout the procedure. After the treatment, the mask is removed, and its effects dissipate quickly; only a couple of minutes in most cases. The levels of sedation can be customized to accommodate the patient's needs and condition.
Benefits of using nitrous oxide
It is safe and does not harm any internal organs
Works fast
Ideal for patients with dental anxiety
Easily customizable, and it is easy and quick to change the duration of the sedation
How safe is it to use nitrous oxide?
Laughing gas is safe and non-allergenic to use for everyone, including pregnant women and children. It is a widely-preferred method by pediatric dentists to keep kids who are nervous or scared of going to the dentist safe, calm, and relaxed. When given as a mild sedative, there is no lasting impact of this gas. However, some people might experience a few side effects like nausea, headache, fatigue, vomiting, or excessive sweating. These effects can occur due to high levels of nitrous oxide or a sudden change in the amount administered.
Who should avoid nitrous oxide as sedation?
Those who are not considered an ideal candidate for laughing gas include claustrophobic patients, those with certain psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, those with a blocked nasal passage, people who suffer from certain lung conditions, and those sensitive to the gas.
The use of dental nitrous oxide or laughing gas as sedation is best to calm people's nerves and have a pain-free and stress-free dental procedure. It is considered safe for both kids and adults. Contact a dentist to know more about this gas's effects and whether it will benefit you during an upcoming dental procedure.
If you need a gentle, caring dental team, please call Jennifer Fineberg’s office at (623) 362-2550. We’ll give you the very best dental care we can!
