Written by: Dr. Grace Yum
Anxiety and going to the dentist seem to go hand in hand for most people. Dental schools teach future dentists the term "white knuckled": patients who are so terrified that they grab the handles on the dental chair so firmly their knuckles turn white!
Laughing gas, in particular for children, can decrease anxiety in the dental chair and calm patients down so they can comfortably receive dental treatment that they need. Laughing gas is the lightest form of sedation that is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
How it works
Laughing gas is inhaled through a mask that sits on the child's nose. The gas goes safely to the lungs and then through the body to help calm the patient down. Unlike medication that is metabolized through the liver, gas is not metabolized by the body, so once treatment is finished, there are no long wait times for the gas to wear off. Not only does it help with anxiety, it can also be an analgesic and help mask pain.
Often used with a numbing agent
Laughing gas is not meant to replace lidocaine, so if a patient needs to be numb for dental work, the dentist should also provide a numbing agent.
Morning is best
Children usually perform better in the morning, so scheduling a morning appontment is highly recommended in order to set up the child for a successful visit. There are eating guidelines as well that your dentist will discuss with you in advance.
Be sure to ask us about laughing gas: providing a safe, calm and easy experience for your child will set the tone for future dental visits!
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