Relax During Dental Treatments With Nitrous Oxide Sedation

FAQs About Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

• In 1772, Nitrous oxide gas was identified or “discovered” by the English chemist Joseph Priestley.
• For years, Nitrous oxide was used for entertaining the public.
• Eventually, in 1884, it was recognized by a dentist for its analgesic effects, and news of the effective use of it spread throughout the dental profession.
• Nitrous oxide is also known as dinitrogen monoxide, laughing gas, or nitrous. You’ll likely hear us calling it laughing gas most often as it’s what most of our patients recognize.
• A colorless gas, Nitrous oxide has an agreeable quite faint odor and sweet taste.
• When administered, it’s always mixed with at least 30% oxygen.
• It takes about three or four minutes for it to take effect.
• About one-third of patients experience numbness in their cheeks and/or gums.
• Nitrous oxide is administered through a small “hood” that is placed over your nose. As you lie back and relax, all you do is breathe it in.
• When a dental patient breathes Nitrous oxide, their sensibility to pain is reduced.
• Some patients may experience euphoria.
• Some people react with mild excitement. Some patients giggle or laugh.
• For most people, laughing gas makes them feel relaxed and calm.
• Not to worry… Laughing gas doesn’t make you do or say anything that you wouldn’t normally want to do or say. Despite rumors, your secrets are safe!
• The effect of Nitrous oxide is brief.
• The effects of Nitrous oxide are 100% reversed even before you leave the dental chair. This is done by slowly decreasing the Nitrous oxide and increasing oxygen flow.
• You can drive yourself home from treatment when you’ve had laughing gas administered.
• You will not experience a “hangover effect.”
• It’s safe for all patients, including children.
• For over 150 years, Nitrous oxide has been used to alleviate dental anxiety and fears.
• It’s the most widely used gaseous anesthetic in the world.
• Even though many other medicines have been introduced since 1884, Nitrous oxide’s advantages outweigh many of them.
• If you’re fearful of getting the dental treatment you need and want, Nitrous oxide may be exactly what you need to relieve your anxiety.

If your dental appointments make you fearful, please take care of yourself by calling us at Pennino Family Dentistry. As your dentist in Barrington, we’ll welcome your questions about sedation that will provide you with the comfort you need to get the dental care you want.