Like many things about the dentist’s office, the effects of nitrous oxide gas have been greatly exaggerated in popular representations. You’ve probably seen more than one cartoon where a character receives it before flying off into fits of laughter and confessing all his deepest secrets. While nitrous oxide is also called laughing gas, its effects are not in any way dramatic or embarrassing for the patient. Here’s what you should know about nitrous oxide before being treated with it.
“Laughing Gas” Is Only a Name
Despite being commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide does not make people laugh, nor does it cause people to hallucinate, fall asleep, confess their secrets, or do anything they wouldn’t normally do. It is used to create a sense of calm while raising the pain threshold and allowing the patient to understand and respond to questions and directions from the dentist. Part of the reason it is considered so safe is because the body eliminates it within five minutes after it stops being administered. Many patients receive laughing gas and then drive back to work shortly afterward.
Nitrous Oxide Is Administered Through a Hose
Part of what makes nitrous oxide easy to use is that it involves no injections or IV feeds. It is mixed with oxygen and administered through a hose attached to a mask that fits over the patient’s nose. All the patient has to do is breathe normally and the sedative effects will begin within a few minutes. These effects begin to wear off as soon as the mask is removed.
Nitrous Oxide Is Incredibly Safe When Administered by a Dental Professional
Nitrous oxide does not do any damage to the internal organs. The worst thing that can happen in most cases is that a dizzy patient trips and falls when they get up too quickly after receiving treatment. Since the effects of laughing gas subside a few minutes after the mask is removed, all a patient has to do to avoid this problem is sit around for a little while longer before getting up.
While only a licensed dental professional can make the call that laughing gas is right for you, you have no reason to worry about the treatment after it is recommended. Nitrous oxide can keep your restorative dental treatment a painless and pleasant experience.
About the Author
Dr. George A. Hoop earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Emory University School of Dentistry, where he graduated second in his class. He has furthered his education through state-of-the-art dental implant training with institutions like the Pikos Institute, the Misch International Implant Institute, the Dawson Academy, and the Pankey Institute. His offices in Fort Myers and Naples, FL offer preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental sedation treatments. For more information on nitrous oxide, contact his office online or dial (239) 939-7299.