Nitrous Oxide: Answering Your Questions

As you’re learning about dental sedation, a good first stop regarding the details is to find out more about nitrous oxide. It might be something you’ve heard of before but it doesn’t mean you’ve got all of the facts hammered out quite yet. To ensure you’re getting the real information (rather than filling your mind with a mixture of information friends and family insist is correct), we encourage you to start with a Q&A session. Then, come in with your additional questions.

Questions and Answers: Sedation

Question: Is nitrous oxide sometimes called laughing gas because it makes you laugh throughout the entire procedure?

Answer: The reasons you might hear this sedative referred to as laughing gas is due in part to the fact that it can make you feel slightly giggly. It may also be linked to the fact that patients often feel completely at ease (if not somewhat euphoric). While everything may seem somewhat funny, you will certainly feel calm and unconcerned with any usual anxiety.

Question: It is very difficult to qualify to receive this type of dental sedation?

Answer: Not at all. We offer nitrous oxide to most patients, including children. We will, of course, need to verify that you are healthy (and we will need to review any medications you are currently taking), so that we may provide you with sedation safely.

Question: Is nitrous oxide something that will require me to receive a shot? I dislike injections, so I’m trying to figure out if this is a good sedative choice for me.

Answer: No. In addition to offering an accessible sedative for most patients, this becomes even more accessible due to its injection-less state. You will breathe it in (it’s a gas). It’s very gentle yet effective.