It’s common to use a form of anesthesia when performing certain dental treatments. Some patients have high anxiety at the dentist and need a mild sedative to remain calm. Dentists often use a mild form of anesthesia commonly called laughing gas.
Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry wants you to have a comfortable, relaxing experience with us. When we feel it is needed, such as during tooth extractions or filling cavities. But how much do you know about laughing gas? Let us fill you in on what it is and what it does.
How Does Laughing Gas Work?
Laughing gas is the common name for nitrous oxide or dinitrogen oxide. It’s a mixture usually composed of 50-70% nitrogen and at least 30% oxygen. Nitrous oxide is colorless but has a sweet odor and taste.
Nitrous oxide is a depressant that slows bodily functions, including breathing and circulation. Inhaling nitrous oxide allows the patient to relax. Inhaling the gas also reduces the patient’s pain.
What Does Laughing Gas Feel Like?
How does laughing gas make you feel? Does laughing gas make you loopy? Does laughing gas make you say weird things? Does laughing gas make you laugh?
We get a lot of these questions about nitrous oxide use. While some giggling may be involved, you won’t end up laughing hysterically from this type of sedation.
Here is what can happen when a qualified doctor or dentist administers nitrous oxide.
- Feelings of happiness or euphoria
- Light-headedness
- Relaxation
- Sleepiness
- Reduction in pain
- Mild hallucinations
What Are the Laughing Gas Side Effects?
When administered and ended correctly, laughing gas has little to no side effects. Once your procedure is complete, we will cut off the nitrous oxide and administer oxygen through the mask placed over your nose and mouth.
How long does laughing gas stay in your system? It could take up to 10-15 minutes for the gas to clear your system, but the oxygen should push the gas out quickly.
It’s possible that you may get a slight headache or other issues if the gas is administered too quickly. This is why we will monitor your progress carefully. Those effects could include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating profusely
- Shivering
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
These side effects are rare because we carefully monitor you or your child when using laughing gas. You should be able to leave our office with no lasting side effects.
Is Laughing Gas Safe for Kids?
Laughing gas is safe for children when administered correctly by a licensed doctor or dentist. It’s safe when used on occasion in short sessions.
The gas is nontoxic, works quickly, and reaches the brain within a few seconds. It also leaves the body quickly with no lasting effects, and the dentist can adjust the amount given to ensure your child is well-sedated without getting too much gas.
Long-Term Effects of Laughing Gas
Laughing gas is safe when used on occasion, but abuse or long-term use of nitrous oxide can cause serious health problems. It should only be administered by a trained professional. You must address the issue immediately if you feel your child is accessing laughing gas outside the dentist’s office.
Overuse of laughing gas can cause:
- Low blood pressure
- Hypoxia (loss of oxygen)
- Fainting
- Heart attack
- Anemia
- B12 deficiency
- Nerve damage
Prolonged use can cause long-term effects of nitrous oxide that can seriously damage your health. This can include:
- Depression
- Dependence
- Memory loss
- Psychosis
- Weak immune systems
- Incontinence
- Numb hands and feet
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Spasm
- Major B12 deficiency
- Congenital disabilities during pregnancy
We closely monitor your child when using nitrous oxide to prevent any negative effects. If you are concerned, you can ask to try the laughing gas for a few minutes to ensure your child reacts to it well.
Can I Eat Before Laughing Gas?
We recommend you have a light meal before your appointment. Having food in your stomach will help prevent any nausea or vomiting.
You can eat after your appointment, but we recommend not having heavy meals after using nitrous oxide. Keep it light for about three hours after your appointment. After that, you should be good to go.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation in Fayetteville, AR
Laughing Gas sedation is one of the most common forms of dental sedation. When administered correctly, it has little to no side effects, and the patient doesn’t require assistance getting home once the gas has left their system.
Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry’s doctors know how to use nitrous oxide correctly so that you will have a relaxed, painless procedure. We know this is a safe, tried-and-true method for providing relaxation and reducing or eliminating pain during dental procedures.
We’re happy to discuss any questions or concerns about this form of sedation or dental care. Schedule an appointment with us if you’d like to talk about dental work with laughing gas. We’re here to help!
