What Actually Happens When Receiving Nitrous Oxide

Do you struggle with dental anxiety to the point where you find yourself constantly rescheduling dental appointments or cancelling them outright? With the help of a sedation dentist in Edison, you can get relief thanks to dedicated services like nitrous oxide. If you’re feeling hesitant about receiving nitrous oxide because you fear you’ll be put to sleep, think again. To learn what actually happens when you undergo nitrous oxide sedation, keep reading this post from a professional.

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a gas-based sedative that is made up of a combination of nitrogen and oxygen. Also known as laughing gas, it is incredibly common in dental offices and is gently inhaled through a nasal mask during the course of a dental treatment to help provide comfort and relief.

While it is largely intended for people who struggle to get through dental treatments due to anxiety or phobia, it can also be used for those who want to complete multiple treatments back-to-back or have a sensitive gag reflex. Patients with cognitive disabilities also find it much easier to keep still in the dental chair upon receiving nitrous oxide.

Am I Put to Sleep?

It’s important to keep in mind that all forms of sedation dentistry, including the stronger varieties out there, are not designed to “put patients to sleep.” Sedation dentistry is not the same thing as general anesthesia, a type of medically-induced coma that’s typically used in hospitals. However, there are some exceptions where dental offices may provide general anesthesia (or sleep dentistry), but this service falls out of the category of “sedation dentistry.”

In the case of nitrous oxide, you are not put to sleep in any way. With that said, some patients do become so relaxed that they fall asleep on their own, but the sedative is not specifically intended for this purpose.

The reason why sedation dentistry is not intended to put you to sleep is so the dentist can continue speaking with you about your comfort needs as well as ask you to perform certain tasks if necessary (i.e. opening and closing your mouth).

Is Nitrous Oxide Right for Me?

Chances are if you have mild dental anxiety or would find it much easier to complete routine care using sedation, nitrous oxide is the first option worth considering. If you’ve ever felt nervous during dental appointments or notice your heart racing ahead of a visit, nitrous oxide can quickly and effectively help you relax. Additionally, since the effects of the sedation go away as soon as the gas is removed, you can continue your day-to-day routine without interruptions.

Don’t let dental anxiety ruin your long-term oral health. Talk to a dentist today about sedation and learn how it could change the way you think about professional oral care for life!

About the Author

Dr. Shah is highly trained in a variety of dental treatments, including services designed to provide comfort and relief to those with dental anxiety or phobia. On top of offering fast-acting sedatives like nitrous oxide, his office also provides oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. To learn more about your sedation options, you can contact him through his website.