Does the sheer thought of having to visit the dentist cause your heart to race? Do your palms get sweaty when you’re sitting in the treatment chair? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, don’t worry – you aren’t alone. The good news is that nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is extremely effective at helping patients with dental-related anxiety get the calm, stress-free dentistry they need.
#1. Administering Nitrous Oxide Is Simple and Comfortable
If you’ve never had nitrous oxide before, then you may be wondering how it works. Essentially, a comfortable nasal piece is placed directly over your nose. From there, your dental team will administer the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen. After several minutes of breathing in the odorless mixture, you will begin to feel relaxed, light, and anxiety-free.
#2. Nitrous Oxide Won’t Put You to Sleep
While nitrous oxide is certainly effective, it’s mild compared to other sedation dentistry options. So, you’ll be completely relaxed without being put to sleep. Throughout the procedure, you’ll be awake and able to respond to verbal commands while being completely comfortable, of course.
#3. Nitrous Oxide Helps with More Than Just Anxiety
Nitrous oxide is well known for its ability to help patients keep their anxiety at bay, but there are other benefits to consider as well. For example, it can help kids and adults struggling with disabilities get the essential dental care they need. Some other important perks include that there are no needles required, the effects work quickly, and it can help prevent head, neck, and jaw pain.
#4. The Effects of Nitrous Oxide Dissipate Almost Instantly
One of the biggest perks for patients is that the effects of nitrous oxide wear off as quickly as they came on. So, you won’t have to worry about getting a ride home after your visit! You will just relax in our office for a few minutes while the effects dissipate entirely.
Nitrous oxide is well known for being a safe and effective dental sedation method, and now you know even more about it! Of course, if you have any specific questions or would like to learn additional information about the process, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist.
About the Practice
Our team at Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics always goes above and beyond to make each patient’s experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. With that said, we also recognize that kids and adults alike sometimes need a little extra help keeping their anxiety at bay while they are in the treatment chair. That’s why we are proud to offer nitrous oxide at our New Britain dental office! If you have a question about nitrous oxide, want to learn more about the benefits, or are ready to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (860) 224-2419.