Importance of Laughing Gas in Sedation Dentistry

Jul 01 , 2021

Dental fear and anxiety are common among people. Being afraid of a dentist could be due to several factors. A dental phobia causes patients to avoid visiting a dental clinic which can jeopardize oral health and lead to larger health issues in the future.

Its inhalation allows for the elimination of anxiety and pain in conscious patients. Laughing Gas is highly effective in managing mild to moderate levels of dental anxiety. It is highly recommended to patients who have medical issues like heart attacks, high blood pressure, etc. But it should not be used with individuals who have claustrophobia.

N20 is a safe and effective sedative agent administered to patients through a mask. It is a colorless and odorless gas that slows down the nervous system to make you feel less inhibited. It minimizes gag reflex during the procedure as reduces the occurrence of involuntary reactions.

It is an option that your dentist may recommend to make you feel comfortable and relax during the dental procedure. The dentist will decide whether to use it or not after considering alternative behavioral guidance, emotional development, the dental needs of patients, and the quality of dental care.

Laughing gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask that fits over your nose. You will start to feel the laughing gas effect within a few minutes. You may feel tingling in your arms and legs. The signs most patients experience while receiving laughing gas include an initial feeling of lightheadedness.

It is not intended to make you feel sleepy. You will be aware of what is happening around you. You will be able to listen and respond to the directions given by the dentist. You don’t need someone to take you home. The sedation can easily be increased and decreased depending upon the needs of the patient.

This is the safest of all sedative methods and does not damage your internal organs like the brain, liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Once the mask has been removed, the effect wears off quickly.

The objectives of N2O inhalation include:

• Reduce or eliminate anxiety.
• Raise the pain threshold.
• Help in the treatment of physically or mentally disabled patients.
• Enhance patient co-operation and communication.
• Potentiate the effects of sedatives.

When is Laughing Gas Used?

Each skilled dentist in Ontario recommends laughing gas in the following situations:

• Patients who do not respond well to local anesthesia.
• Patients with special health care needs.
• Patients who feel anxious.
• Patients who undergo lengthy dental procedures.
• Patients who have fear of needles and other sharp dental devices.
• Patients who have sensitive teeth.

Is It Safe for Children?

Laughing gas is safe for children and is often recommended by your child’s pediatric dentist. The children are often unable to express their fear. This leads to the adoption of sedation dentistry in children.

With the different sedation levels used in dental clinics, N2O does not cause sedation but relaxes a mildly anxious child to make him or her calm during the dental procedure.

All the precautions are taken during its use for kids. For example, if they have a full stomach, it can cause nausea or vomiting with just a small amount of inhalation of laughing gas.

While reviewing whether your child is a good candidate for Laughing Gas, it is important to share your child’s medical history such as allergies or adverse drug reactions. It will help the doctor know if your child is taking any medication, suffering from any disease, disorder, or physical abnormalities.

Side Effects of N2O

Most of the patients do not experience any side effects. But in few cases, you may experience headaches, excessive sweating, shivering, sleepiness, vomiting, or nausea.

After laughing gas wears off, the patient needs to receive oxygen for five minutes to avoid the headache. It will purge the remaining gas from your lungs. Dentists will recommend avoiding heavy meals two to three hours after the procedure.

The practitioner responsible for the treatment must be trained in administering such type of sedation. During the administration of N2O, continuous observation of the patient’s responsiveness, respiratory rate, and rhythm must be performed.

If your kid feels anxious about the dental treatment, consult with an experienced laughing gas dentist in Ontario, CA  today.