Nitrous Oxide

• Sometimes a child may feel anxious before or during treatment.
• Your child may need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable.
• Nitrous Oxide is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child’s fear during the dental visit and enhance effective communication.
• Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.
• Nitrous oxide is a blend of two gases: oxygen and nitrous oxide.
• A fitted mask is placed over the nose and, as the patient breathes normally, Uptake occurs through the lungs.
• At the end of the treatment, it is eliminated after a short period of time breathing oxygen and has no lingering effects.
• Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry.
• It is well tolerated.
• It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic.
• Your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide.
• He/she will be capable of responding to a question or request.
• Nitrous oxide may also be used in combination with other sedative agents.

How will my child feel when breathing Nitrous oxide

• Your child will smell a faint sweet aroma and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation.
• Since it may produce a feeling of giddiness or euphoria, it is often called “laughing gas”.
• Children sometimes report of dreaming and their arms and legs may feel “tingly”.
• It raises the pain threshold and may even make the time appear to pass quickly.
• If your child is worried by the sights, sounds or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may respond more positively with the use of nitrous oxide.

Are there any special instructions for Nitrous Oxide

• Give your child little or no food in the two hours preceding the dental visit (occasionally, nausea or vomiting occurs when a child has a full stomach).
• Tell Dr. Jacobs about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child, as it may limit the effectiveness of nitrous oxide.
• Tell Dr. Jacobs if your child is taking any medications on the day of the appointment.

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