You Should Know About Laughing Gas – Sedation Dentistry

The fear of being in a dentist’s chair and having dental work done is common. It affects people from all walks of life and is more prevalent in children and young adults. It can be caused by negative memories, traumatic experiences with dental visits, or hearing about others’ negative experiences with the dentist.

So what causes this? Well, when you hear about the pain associated with dental work, it’s natural to be afraid because it’s not something we usually associate with our daily lives. Dental phobia and anxiety can cause you to avoid dental procedures, which can affect your oral health. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help ease phobia and anxiety and make it easy for you to undergo any procedure.

What is Laughing Gas Sedation?

Laughing gas is sedation dentistry commonly used in adults but can also be used in children. Laughing gas can be administered either through a mask or with a hand-held device. It is the most popular form of sedation dentistry because it is easy to administer and does not interfere with consciousness.

Furthermore, this type of sedation dentistry has proven effective in enhancing the experience for patients who are fearful of visiting the dentist or have had bad experiences at past appointments. It helps them feel relaxed and calmer about what is going on around them. The effects usually last for about an hour before wearing off completely. Laughing gas is a gas that can be inhaled and provides a feeling of euphoria.

How Laughing Gas Dental Sedation Works

Inhaled sedation works by changing the levels of oxygen in the blood. The patient also feels no pain from the procedure. It is a painless, safe, and effective way to reduce anxiety and fear so that patients can receive dental care. Nitrous oxide gas is administered by breathing through a mask connected to the tank of nitrous oxide.

You will feel lightheaded and happy effects that last for about 15-20 minutes. Laughing gas allows the dentist to adjust the dosage as needed during the procedure.

Since nitrous oxide does not impair judgment or coordination, it can be used on children safely. Nitrous oxide sedation makes it possible for dental patients to experience anxiety-free dental care without general anesthesia.

Who Can Use Laughing Gas Dental Sedation?

Laughing gas reduces anxiety and stress, especially in patients with dental phobia. It is also ideal for patients with gag reflex, a low threshold of pain, and severe tooth sensitivity.

However, there are also some situations where an individual may not use laughing gas because there are certain contraindications to using it. Laughter gas sedation is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or asthma, are more sensitive to nitrous oxide.

People on blood thinners, illicit drugs, stimulants, depressants, alcoholics may also not be good candidates for inhaled sedation.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Laughing Gas Dental Sedation?

Laughing gas sedation makes the patient feel relaxed and happy. It also has side effects like nausea and vomiting, but these can be prevented by taking medications before the procedure.

The main advantage of laughing gas sedation is that it is easy to administer and provides an effective alternative to general anesthesia for people afraid of needles or who need minor dental treatment.

The disadvantages of laughing gas sedation are that it does not always work like general anesthesia and might not be as safe as other forms of sedation for specific dental procedures like wisdom tooth extraction or root canal treatment.

What Are Some Side Effects of Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is safe, but it can cause nausea and vomiting if there is too much nitrous oxide, so the dentist in Rifle CO will need to stop periodically during treatment to monitor how their patient feels.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Rifle Dental Care for more information about laughing gas sedation, how it works and what to expect.