What is Nitrous Oxide/Laughing Gas? Why is it important for treatment?
Kids can sometimes be a little wiggly in the dentist chair. Especially when they need a filling, crown, or tooth extraction. While we try to create the best experience possible, sometimes a visit to the dentist is still overwhelming for children. Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, helps take a lot of that anxiety away.
“We use nitrous regularly. We also offer in-office sedation for small procedures where nitrous/laughing gas is not enough. We also do general anesthesia at the hospital when more treatment is needed.”
To create laughing gas, the dentist will mix nitrous oxide with oxygen to create a light sedative agent. The gas is then delivered through a small mask fitted over the nose. The effects are light and create a slight numbing feeling. Your child might feel their toes or fingertips tingle or they’ll feel really heavy. Sometimes, it even relaxes your child enough to fall asleep! As the gas relaxes them, it’s much easier for the dentist to inject local anesthetic into the areas of the mouth needing treatment.
If you have any more questions about the uses of nitrous oxide in our office, please contact us today and we’d be happy to discuss any concerns you have.