Nitrous Oxide
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Your child can benefit from nitrous oxide if he or she experiences one of more of the following:
- High fear of dental care
- Complex dental problems but fairly cooperative
- Past history of traumatic dental experiences
- Fear of needles and shots
- Difficulty getting numb
- Sensitive teeth
- Strong gag reflex
Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is a combination of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen to help your child's body achieve a relaxed state. This is the most popular form of anxiolysis used in pediatric dentistry today. The majority of children benefit from the use of nitrous oxide during their dental treatment as it makes for an overall calmer and more pleasant experience. Nitrous Oxide is a colorless and faintly sweet smelling gas. It is absorbed rapidly which allows a very fast onset. Patients, including children, respond appropriately to verbal commands and are able to carry on a conversation, and in most cases return to pre-procedure mobility with a speedy recovery of about two to three minutes. In kids, nitrous oxide will usually expedite the overall procedure due to its overall calming effect. It also is a mild analgesic and helps to suppress a strong gag reflex, which in turn makes for a smoother visit for many children.