A trip to the dentist for your child can result in many different emotions based on their past experiences. Even a small amount of trauma that is associated with a trip to the dentist could result in a more permanent fear or anxiety when they return to the dentist for future visits. At Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry, we understand that some children may have some type of fear of going to the dentist. We offer sedation practices for those who wish to alleviate that fear for their child. In our blog, we discuss nitrous oxide and its use in detail.

Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for over a century. As early as the 1840’s Connecticut dentist Dr. Horace Wells began administering nitrous oxide to his patients for procedures such as tooth extractions. Today, nitrous oxide is available at many dental practices as a form of sedation dentistry. Because nitrous oxide is fast-acting and wears off soon after the mask is removed, it has become a popular choice for patients who experience dental anxiety. At Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry, we use nitrous oxide as a part of our sedation process to assure that your little one has a positive experience at the dentist.

Nitrous oxide or laughing gas, is a colorless gas with a pleasant, sweet odor and taste. Nitrous oxide can safely be inhaled, resulting in an insensibility to pain that will allow your child to be comfortable during any procedures such as fillings, extractions, or cleanings.

The use of nitrous oxide is always at the discretion of the parent or guardian. Our staff will check with the parent or caregiver before using nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is provided to our dental patients who have fear and anxiety regarding dental care. It is one of the mildest forms of sedation dentistry available. No injections or IV’s are used, rather, children simply need to breathe in the gas.

Nitrous oxide as a form of sedation relaxes the patient without actually putting them to sleep. Instead, they will feel relaxed, somewhat tingly, and may experience a floating sensation. Nitrous oxide is sometimes referred to as laughing gas because of the giggling feeling some people feel initially after taking it.

The laughing gas is tailored to your child based on how he or she responds to the gas initially. The gas will be adjusted up or down easily to assure that your child has the best experience available.

Nitrous oxide is very safe when used under the proper care of a dentist. However, some people may experience side effects during or after use. These side effects are very uncommon but consist of:

Short-Term Side Effects: it is possible, albeit rare for a child to inhale too large of a quantity of nitrous oxide. This could potentially result in nausea or vomiting. Children could also experience sweating, dizziness, and shivering that would subside after the gas wears off.

Long-Term Side Effects: nitrous oxide usually wears off very quickly and results in no long-term side effects.

It is overwhelmingly true that nitrous oxide is harmless enough to be used with even our smallest patients and the side-effects, rare as they may be, are correctable, mild, and end quickly.

If your child has anxiety about going to the dentist, giving them nitrous oxide without warning could be bad for them. Before his or her appointment, you should discuss with your child what nitrous oxide is and how they would receive it from the dental staff. Children are often given a special mask to breath through that may be shaped in a kid-friendly way.

Before your child’s procedure, members of the staff will talk to your child about nitrous oxide as well and explain it to them a second time. At Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry, we allow parents and caregivers back into treatment rooms at any time. You are welcome to hold your child’s hand and be with them to help them be more relaxed.

After the procedure is completed and the nitrous oxide is turned off, we run oxygen through to help your child’s lungs off of the gas. Due to nitrous oxide being so mild, eating before the procedure is usually accepted and fasting is not required.

Nitrous oxide, as mentioned, is one of the mildest forms of sedation that is used. It is also the only form of sedation used by Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry. It is a great tool for kids who are uncomfortable for whatever reason at the dentist. If your child has had an uncomfortable experience or is nervous about an upcoming visit, we can talk about the benefits of nitrous oxide with you. As we have discussed, nitrous oxide has very few, if any side effects, and overall is a great way to help make your child feel relaxed.

As a parent or guardian, the decision is always yours to make. We are here to answer any questions that you may have or make any recommendations that you might want. To learn more about pediatric sedation dentistry, contact Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry today!