Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, helps you feel relaxed and comfortable during dental care services such as wisdom tooth extractions and deep cleanings. Individuals with low pain tolerance and strong gag reflexes can use it to make the dental experience more manageable. When administered by trained dental professionals, laughing gas is a safe option for individuals who need to work or drive home, as the compound clears from the system quickly. Here are some benefits of nitrous oxide:
Quick Relief and Fast Elimination
Laughing gas is rapidly absorbed across the body because it is highly lipid-soluble. The compound spreads throughout vessel-rich areas, such as the heart, endocrine glands, and brain. This influences a quick sedation effect, making you feel relaxed a few minutes after inhalation.
The sedative effect of laughing gas wears off quickly. After the dentist stops administering the gas, it is released to the alveoli and dilutes the alveolar gases. It is then extracted through the lungs. Some dentists turn off the gas and administer pure oxygen to help clear any remaining gas from your system. This allows most individuals to resume work or routine activities, including driving, soon after the dental procedure.
Safe Option
Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for over a century to help reduce discomfort during oral procedures. It also has fewer risks than oral or IV sedation because it leaves the system quickly. Laughing gas also allows you to stay awake and responsive to the dental team’s requests during treatment. This leads to a cooperative treatment process that is safe and efficient.
Established dental service providers administer the gas using a mask that comfortably fits over your nose. This lets you inhale the sedative as you breathe. Individuals who have dental anxiety or low pain tolerance may prefer the use of laughing gas over intravenous sedation methods. Using nitrous oxide enables the dentist to perform the necessary dental procedures without delays or stress caused by patient discomfort.
Wide Application
Those undergoing dental treatments that may cause sensitivity can prioritize dental services that use laughing gas for sedation. This sedation may be used for procedures such as:
- Root canal treatments
- Deep cleanings or scaling
- Root planing
- Fillings and crowns
- Routine exams and cleanings for anxious patients
Adjustable Sedation
The dentist can adjust the level of sedation when using nitrous oxide. This enables optimal comfort that aligns with a person’s requirements. Experienced dentists determine the appropriate degree of sedation for individuals with conditions like a strong gag reflex or those who struggle to remain still during the dental treatment process. Dentists may mitigate undesirable effects, such as nausea, by administering pure oxygen to help clear the laughing gas remaining in your system.
Look for Nitrous Oxide Sedation Today
Experienced dentists use laughing gas to support a positive dental treatment experience. This gas helps people with anxiety or a strong gag reflex experience increased comfort while allowing them to respond to the dentist during treatment. Contact an experienced dentist today to learn more about the suitability and benefits of nitrous oxide.
