Things You Should Know About Laughing Gas Used For Dentistry

Dental fear and phobia are common reasons why millions of people don’t visit a dentist for routine dental appointments or treatment. Unfortunately, avoiding your dentist increases your risk of oral problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, tooth loss, poor bite, and unattractive smile.

If you get anxious or nervous about visiting a dentist, you can benefit from sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry entails using certain medications to make a patient calm, painless, and comfortable during dental appointments. Laughing gas is among dentistry’s most popular and commonly used types of sedation.

Like most people, you might wonder how it works and what you can expect. Below are several facts about laughing gas that you should know about it:

• Laughing gas is the other name for nitrous oxide.

In a medical environment, laughing gas may be referred to as nitrous oxide. It’s a colorless and odorless gas that slows the body’s reaction to certain things. In dentistry, laughing gas calms a person and gives a tingling feeling. You can feel general numbness and lightheaded. However, you’ll still be conscious and should be able to communicate with the dentist throughout the procedure.

• Laughing gas is easy to administer.

Administering laughing gas is pretty much straightforward. The good news is that it doesn’t require swallowing pills or getting injections. Our laughing gas dentist will give you a facemask through which you’ll breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. The mask covers your nose and mouth, and you should breathe normally. Immediately you wear the mask, you’ll absorb the gas through the lungs and feel the sedative effects.

• Laughing gas has been used for centuries.

Laughing gas was discovered in 1793 by Joseph Priestly, an English scientist. Since then, medical professionals have continued to use it on their patients. Currently, nitrous oxide is among the most commonly used and known anesthetics.

• Laughing gas is safe when administered by a qualified professional.

Many people are worried about experiencing serious side effects after using nitrous oxide. Others are worried that it can cause damage to vital internal organs like the lungs. However, you don’t have to worry about a thing if you’re getting it from a qualified dentist or doctor.

The only danger is that laughing gas causes disorienting effects, which can make you fall if you make a sudden movement. Fortunately, the gas wears off quickly, within 3 – 5 minutes after removing the mask. After that, you’re unlikely to experience any side effects or hangover effects. However, some people can develop minor side effects such as nausea and headaches. Children can also feel agitated or vomit.

• You can drive home after the procedure.

Once you remove the mask, laughing gas wears off pretty faster, typically within 5 minutes after removing the mask. The dentist can give you pure oxygen through a mask to dissipate the effects of laughing gas and help you return to normality much faster. Therefore, driving or returning to work after your appointment is generally considered safe. Nitrous oxide is the only sedation you’re allowed to drive or operate machinery after your appointment.

• Laughing gas is used in various dental treatments.

Laughing gas can help during various dental treatments. In most cases, it’s used for short, outpatient, and less-invasive procedures such as dental checkups and cleanings. In some cases, it combines with other types of sedation.

• Laughing gas has many benefits.

Laughing gas has several benefits. These include:

• It’s safe for your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, liver, and overall body. Make sure it’s provided by a qualified professional.
• The level of sedation can easily be increased or reduced.
• Laughing gas works fast. It absorbs into the system within 2 – 3 minutes.
• The gas wears off pretty quickly. You’ll be back to your normal state in less than 15 minutes.
• Laughing gas offers comfortable, quick, easy, and pain-free dentistry.
• Getting laughing gas doesn’t involve pills and injections.
• Laughing gas reduces gag reflux.

Schedule an appointment today

Do you need more information about laughing gas in Bristol, CT? Contact Admire Dental – Bristol to book your appointment.