Many people feel a sudden knot in their stomach when they schedule a dental visit. This fear keeps millions of individuals away from the dentist every year, which often leads to larger oral health issues down the road.
Contemporary dentistry has come up with a straightforward solution that will help you overcome your fear. This method is called laughing gas or nitrous oxide. It assists patients in relaxing and getting the necessary treatment.
How Laughing Gas Works
Laughing gas is a mild sedative that you inhale through a small mask. This mask fits comfortably over your nose during the procedure.
The dentist combines the gas with pure oxygen. By breathing normally, the combination is absorbed through the lungs and rapidly distributed into the bloodstream. Within a few minutes, you’ll begin to feel more relaxed. It acts on the central nervous system, thereby inhibiting your natural reaction to stress.
Throughout the process, the dental team monitors the flow of the gas. They can adjust the levels instantly to keep you comfortable.
What It Feels Like
The term laughing gas is derived from the happy feeling that it produces. Though it does not make the patient laugh uncontrollably, it helps to uplift their mood.
The typical feeling that most individuals experience from nitrous oxide is a warming tingle in their limbs. There could be an odd sense of lightness or heaviness, and there would definitely be an absence of any worries. The ambient noises of the clinic will take a back seat as the procedure progresses quickly.
The best part of this sedation method is that you remain fully awake. You can hear the dentist’s instructions, and you can answer questions easily. It simply takes the edge off your fear.
Quick Recovery Times
Other types of dental sedation can leave you feeling groggy for hours. Laughing gas is entirely different.
Once the dentist finishes your treatment, they turn off the nitrous oxide and give you pure oxygen to breathe for a few minutes. Breathing pure oxygen for a few minutes helps clear the remaining nitrous oxide from your system.
The relaxing effects disappear almost immediately. Because your alertness returns to normal right away, you do not need to bring a driver with you to your appointment. You can safely drive yourself home or go straight back to work.
Who Can Use It
Almost anyone who feels nervous about dental visits can benefit from laughing gas. It is incredibly safe, which makes it a popular option for both adults and children.
It works wonderfully for patients who have a sensitive gag reflex, as the gas helps relax those throat muscles. It also helps children who find it hard to sit still in the dental chair for long periods.
If a patient fears needles, the dentist can administer the gas before numbing the area to make the process completely painless.
Comfort at Vital Family Dental
You should never let dental anxiety prevent you from having a healthy smile. Finding a team that understands your anxieties makes a huge difference. If you want a stress-free dental experience, Vital Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is here to help.
Their qualified staff utilizes laughing gas to make you feel entirely safe and calm during your visit. You can arrange your next appointment with confidence by contacting us at (972) 984-1700.