Nitrous Oxide Analgesia

Nitrous Oxide Analgesia or “laughing gas” is very helpful in relaxing apprehensive patients, relieving gag reflexes, and aiding young children though numbing procedures pain free and with ease. It’s given through a small breathing mask placed over a child’s nose. It’s a mild gas that is quickly uptaken and quickly eliminated from the body. Your child will remain fully conscious with all airways and reflexes intact. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this as a safe and effective technique for treating children.

Not every child is alike and as with all treatment modalities it does not work for everyone- especially those with severe anxiety, those with extensive needs, those with certain medical conditions/ special needs, or those at a pre-cooperative age. Talk to your dentist about what treatment modalities she recommends for your child.

Some general policies:

• Nitrous appointment will be scheduled at a time when a child can have little to no food in their stomach
• Do not eat a heavy meal the day of a nitrous appointment
• Do not eat right before a nitrous appointment (the most common side effect is nausea/ vomiting when on a full stomach)