Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is an oxide of nitrogen. It is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. Nitrous Oxide is a common anesthetic used during many dental procedures including oral surgery procedures such as surgical extractions, wisdom teeth removal and surgical placement of implants. After 5 minutes or so of breathing in the gas, a patient should feel a euphoric feeling spread throughout their body. A patient may also feel a bit light headed and often people get ‘the giggles’ (hence the name laughing gas!).
Nitrous Oxide works very rapidly – it reaches the brain within 20 seconds, and relaxation and pain-killing properties develop after 2 or 3 minutes. With Nitrous Oxide your Gentle Dental dentist can adjust and alter the depth of sedation from moment to moment. Something other sedation methods don’t allow for.
There are some disadvantages though by using Nitrous Oxide. It can make a person nauseous and if you can’t breathe through your nose (either because you’re a pure mouth breather, or because your nose is blocked), or you feel too claustrophobic when something is put over your nose, it can’t be used.
To learn more about Nitrous Oxide and to see if you are the right candidate for this type of sedation contact your Gentle Dental Dentist or Oral Surgeon by calling 1-888-513-7436.
