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Does your child get nervous before a dental visit? You’re not alone, and we have a simple, safe solution. As experienced nitrous oxide dentists, we use laughing gas sedation to help kids relax and feel at ease during their appointment. No fear. No fuss. Just a calm, positive experience, your child will feel good about.
Serving families across Lafayette, LA | Call us to schedule: (337)500 1500
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child’s fear during the dental visit and enhance communication between Dr. Jacobs and your child. It’s a blend of two gases: oxygen and nitrous oxide, and it has been used safely in pediatric dentistry for decades.
A fitted mask is placed gently over your child’s nose. As they breathe normally, the gas is absorbed through the lungs and takes effect within just a few minutes. At the end of the treatment, it is completely eliminated after a short period of breathing pure oxygen, leaving no lingering effects whatsoever.
Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated, has a rapid onset, is fully reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations, and is non-allergenic, making it an excellent option for children of all backgrounds and health profiles.
Your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide. They will be capable of responding to Dr. Jacobs’s questions and requests throughout the entire visit. In some cases, nitrous oxide may also be used in combination with other sedative agents for additional comfort.
Sometimes a child may feel anxious before or during treatment, and a gentle, caring manner alone isn’t enough to help them feel comfortable. Nitrous oxide sedation is a great fit for a wide range of children. You might want to consider it if your child:
• Gets anxious or scared before dental appointments
• Has had a difficult experience at the dentist before
• Is very young (toddlers and preschoolers) and has trouble sitting still
• Has a strong gag reflex that interferes with dental treatment
• Needs a longer or more involved procedure, like a filling or extraction
• Has special needs or sensory sensitivities
• Is visiting the dentist for the very first time
Not sure if it’s right for your child? We’ll talk it through with you during your consultation. Our goal is always to find the approach that works best for your family.
This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and it’s a great one. Here’s what your child will likely experience:
• They will notice a faint, sweet aroma and quickly experience a sense of well-being and relaxation.
• Since it can produce a feeling of giddiness or euphoria, it’s often called “laughing gas”, and kids often find it fun rather than scary.
• Some children report a dreamy feeling, and their arms and legs may feel a little “tingly.” This is completely normal.
• Nitrous oxide raises the pain threshold, so your child will feel more comfortable during treatment.
• It may even make time seem to pass more quickly, so a 30-minute appointment might feel like just a few minutes to your child.
• If your child is usually worried by the sights, sounds, or sensations of dental treatment, they may respond much more positively with the help of nitrous oxide.
There’s a reason nitrous oxide sedation dentistry is one of the most recommended options for kids. Here’s what makes it so effective:
Nitrous oxide has been used in children’s dental care for over 50 years. It’s non-allergenic, fully reversible, and endorsed by both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA). When administered by a trained pediatric dentist like Dr. Jacobs, it has an outstanding safety record.
Your child will begin to feel relaxed within just 2–3 minutes. Once we remove the mask and have your child breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes, the effects are completely gone, no drowsiness, no recovery time. Your child can head back to school or go about their day right after the appointment.
Dental fear is very common in children, and it can stick around into adulthood if it’s not addressed early. Nitrous oxide sedation helps create a positive, comfortable experience so your child builds a healthy relationship with dental care from the very start.
For a lot of kids, the thought of a needle is the scariest part. With nitrous oxide, many routine treatments don’t require an injection at all. That’s a huge relief for most children, and most parents too.
Unlike deeper forms of sedation or general anesthesia, nitrous oxide doesn’t put your child to sleep. They’re awake, aware, and can respond to Dr. Jacobs throughout the entire procedure. This makes it one of the gentlest and most comfortable forms of sedation dentistry for kids available.
We want you and your child to feel completely prepared before your visit. Here’s exactly what the process looks like:
1. Pre-visit consultation- Dr. Jacobs talks with you about your child’s health history, any concerns you have, and whether nitrous oxide is the right fit.
2. The nose mask is placed- A small, fitted nose mask is gently placed over your child’s nose. It’s lightweight and comfortable.
3. Your child relaxes- As your child breathes normally, the gas is absorbed through the lungs. Within a few minutes, they’ll feel calm and relaxed. Some kids say their arms and legs feel a little tingly, which is totally normal.
4. Treatment is completed comfortably- With your child relaxed and at ease, Dr. Jacobs is able to complete the dental work smoothly and without stress.
5. The mask comes off- Once treatment is done, the mask is removed, and your child breathes pure oxygen for a few minutes to clear the gas completely.
6. Back to normal in minutes- The effects wear off quickly with no lingering grogginess. Your child will feel completely like themselves before leaving the office.
Absolutely, and we understand why safety is your top concern. Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. Here’s what you should know:
• It is well tolerated by the vast majority of children with no adverse reactions.
• It has a rapid onset and is fully reversible; its effects begin and end quickly.
• It can be adjusted in various concentrations to match exactly what your child needs.
• It is non-allergenic, making it suitable for children with allergies or sensitivities.
• Side effects are rare and mild; the most common one is mild nausea, which typically occurs only if a child has eaten a full meal beforehand (see pre-visit instructions below).
• Dr. Jacobs monitors your child continuously throughout the procedure.
• Endorsed by the AAPD and used safely in pediatric dentistry for over 50 years.
To make sure your child’s visit goes as smoothly as possible, please keep these three things in mind:
Give your child little or no food in the two hours before their dental appointment. Occasionally, nausea or vomiting can occur when a child has a full stomach; a light meal helps avoid this completely.
If your child has a respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult, such as a stuffy nose, asthma, or congestion, please let Dr. Jacobs know. Since nitrous oxide is inhaled through the nose, any blockage may limit its effectiveness.
Let Dr. Jacobs know about any medications your child is taking on the day of the appointment. Some medications can interact with sedation, so it’s important we have the full picture before we begin.
• No restrictions, your child can eat, drink, and do normal activities right away.
• There’s no lingering drowsiness or grogginess as you might see with other sedation options.
• Your child can return to school the same day.
Many dental insurance plans cover nitrous oxide sedation, especially when it’s used to complete necessary treatment for children. Coverage varies by plan, so we’ll verify your benefits before your visit so there are no surprises.
We believe every child deserves comfortable, fear-free dental care, and we’ll do our best to make it as affordable as possible for your family. Contact our office to learn more about our pricing and payment options.
Nitrous oxide can be safely used for toddlers and young children, as well as older kids and teens. Dr. Jacobs assesses each child individually to make sure it’s appropriate for their age and health.
No. Nitrous oxide is not general anesthesia. Your child will remain fully conscious, keep all natural reflexes, and be able to respond to Dr. Jacobs throughout the entire procedure. They’ll just feel calm and relaxed instead of anxious.
General anesthesia puts a child completely to sleep and requires a hospital or surgical setting. Nitrous oxide sedation is much lighter; your child stays awake, it’s done right here in our office, and recovery is nearly instant. It’s a much simpler and safer option for most routine dental procedures.
Yes. In some cases, nitrous oxide may be used in combination with other sedative agents for children who need additional support. Dr. Jacobs will discuss all available options with you during your consultation.
Nitrous oxide is non-allergenic, which means allergic reactions are not a concern. It is safe for children with a wide range of allergies and sensitivities.
Not at all. Breathing through the nose mask is completely painless. In fact, nitrous oxide actually raises the pain threshold, so your child will feel more comfortable, not less. Most kids enjoy the warm, relaxed feeling it creates.
Yes! We welcome parents to stay by their child’s side during treatment. Your presence is comforting and helps keep your child calm. Dr. Jacobs will keep you informed every step of the way.
Dr. Leslie Jacobs specializes in pediatric dentistry and has extensive experience for children. Our entire team is trained to work with kids and make them feel safe and comfortable.
We understand that every child is different. We take time to understand your child's specific needs and fears. Our goal is to provide high-quality dental care while creating positive experiences.
Your child's safety and comfort are our top priorities. We follow strict safety protocols and monitor children closely throughout their visit.
Don't let worry keep your child from getting the care they need. We're here to help make every visit comfortable and stress-free.
113 Rue Fontaine, Lafayette, LA 70508, United States
113 Rue Fontaine, Lafayette, LA 70508, United States
