Getting regular dental care is critically important to maintaining a healthy smile, but a lot of people are put off by the dentist. For anxious patients, sedation dentistry can be a great way to feel at ease, even during the most intense procedures.
Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of sedation in dentistry. However, some people who’ve heard a little bit about nitrous oxide may have some misgivings about the safety of the sedative. If you want to learn more about “laughing gas,” and clear up some of your questions about safety, here’s a guide that can tell you a little bit more about it.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
As you probably know, nitrous oxide is a sedative gas. It can be inhaled through a small mask placed over the nose that allows your dentist to freely control the dosage as needed. Your dentist has a few sedation options at their disposal, and nitrous oxide tends to be the weakest—it should make a dental procedure a little more pleasant, but shouldn’t put you to sleep. It also wears off incredibly quickly, fading a few minutes after the flow of gas stops.
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?
To recap, nitrous oxide in a dental context is monitored closely by a professional, is relatively weak, and wears off quickly after the treatment. All this makes laughing gas incredibly safe when used in a clinical setting.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Now that you know that it’s safe, you may want to know a little more about who could benefit from sedation treatment. It may sound like a little bit of a non-answer, but the fact is that anyone who’s anxious at the dentist’s office could see benefits from using it.
Nitrous oxide is even safe enough to be used by younger patients; nervous kids are often given laughing gas before regular checkups and treatments, and rarely if ever see any negative effects.
If you’re still a little nervous about sedation dentistry, talk to your dentist. They’ll be able to advise you about which sedatives are best for you and your family’s needs.
About Our Practice
At Dentistry by Brand, we want to offer every member of your family what they need to get their smile into perfect shape. We believe that no matter a patient’s age or problem, all they need is a dentist who will listen to their needs and design treatment specifically for them. If you or someone you love isn’t a fan of the dentist, we’re also more than happy to offer sedation services to both children and adults.
If you have any questions about the value of nitrous oxide sedation, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 495-9009.