Pediatric Nitrous Oxide Procedure

Nitrous Oxide Relaxes

Sometimes your child needs a little extra help to relax. Nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas,” is a popular and safe choice. Why is it called "laughing gas?” Because it does make some people giggle.

Nitrous oxide—

• Has no color or smell,
• Doesn’t irritate the nose, and
• Works quickly.

The Procedure

We place a small mask over your child’s nose to deliver a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide.

Your child simply breathes normally, and in a couple of minutes will feel warm, relaxed, and slightly numb but still awake and able to talk to us.

The child controls it by how deeply he breathes. It is very safe and, in some cases, can be used to relieve pain.

Your child continues to breathe the nitrous oxide during the dental procedure. Once we are done, we remove the mask. The effect wears off almost immediately and has no residual effects.

Nitrous oxide can take the edge off of a dental procedure and help your child have a comfortable and calm visit at the dentist.