Nitrous Oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, is the most employed method to help children who have mild to moderate anxiety in the dental office. The gas is administered using a face mask that fits over the nose of the child. It is an effective way to temporarily reduce anxiety in children.
To administer the gas, we will ask your son or daughter to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth. When they do, the gas will begin to work, and your child will become less anxious. Your youngster will still be wide awake during the entire procedure and will be able to converse with the dentist.
Once the appointment is finished, we will remove the mask and he or she will go back to breathing regular air without nitrous oxide in it. Very quickly after the mask is removed, all the effects of the nitrous oxide will vanish. As your child gets older and is no longer anxious during visits to the dentist, nitrous oxide will no longer be needed.
