If you find yourself feeling dental anxiety when you need to come in for a dental procedure, you are not alone. Dental anxiety can stem from fear of pain, fear of helplessness and loss of control, and even embarrassment from having someone in your personal space (the physical closeness to your face). To help with this discomfort, and to help you relax, nitrous oxide can help you relax during your treatment.
Nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is a clear, odorless gas mixed with oxygen which is inhaled to experience its sedative effects. Dentists have been using this analgesic sedative for more than 150 years to help their patients feel calm. It is safe for most patients, including children. While you are under the treatment your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing is monitored.
What does this gas do? Essentially, it kills pain and makes you feel good. After about five minutes of breathing, you should feel a euphoric feeling as your body relaxes. You may also feel light-headed and for some people, you may even get the giggles (which is where the term laughing gas came from).
Nitrous oxide is not designed to put you to sleep, so you should still be able to hear and respond to your dental team during a procedure, all while feeling calm, relaxed and comfortable. Once the gas is administered, you will first experience a tingling sensation in your body, especially in your limbs, or a vibration, followed by a feeling of warmth, well-being, euphoria and even floating. Since nitrous oxide is administered by mask, if you feel anything unpleasant you can remove the mask or let your dental team know so that the dosage of nitrous oxide can be adjusted.
We hope this information makes you more confident about keeping your dental checkups and cleanings. If you have any concerns, you can reach our New Horizon Dental, PLLC team in Twin Falls, Idaho at 208-733-0494 today!
