With nitrous oxide (laughing gas), you can relax while you get the dental care you need from KAY’S DENTAL CLINIC. But you may be wondering what to expect if you choose to be sedated with laughing gas. Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before your appointment.
Let's start with appointment preparation. Unlike other methods of sedation, you don't really need to do anything special for nitrous oxide sedation. It's a very minimal type of sedation. You don't need to fast (avoid eating or drinking except water), or take any pills before your appointment.
However, we do recommend that you avoid eating a big meal within 2 hours before your appointment. Nitrous oxide can make you feel nauseated, and having a very full stomach may worsen this nausea, and make you more likely to feel sick or even throw up. For obvious reasons, you'll want to avoid that, if possible!
Other than that, simply dress comfortably and make sure you arrive at the clinic on time. Our team will walk you through every step of the sedation process, and make sure you feel safe, secure, and comfortable during your appointment.
Before your procedure begins, the dentist will fit a comfortable mask over your nose. Through this, a flow of oxygen and laughing gas will get into your lungs. Just breathe in through your nose whenever she asks you to do so.
The gas will take effect immediately. You will feel a bit disconnected from what’s happening around you. You may even find things happening around you to be funny or strange, which is where the term “laughing gas” comes from.
However, you will still understand everything that’s happening around you. You’ll be fully conscious, and you can answer questions and respond to commands. You’ll just feel a little different, and you’ll be much more calm and comfortable. Nitrous oxide even helps reduce your gag reflex, and helps reduce any potential discomfort or pain from your treatment.
When your appointment ends, the dentist will adjust the flow of gas into your mask. Pure oxygen will flow into your lungs, which helps remove any remaining laughing gas. This step helps reduce any after-effects of sedation.
You may still feel a little bit confused or dizzy after your appointment, and you may be slightly nauseous. However, you will be able to drive yourself home, and even go back to work or school. Your reflexes, motor skills, and mental functions won’t be impaired at all. This makes nitrous oxide a great sedation option if you have a busy schedule.
If you’re interested in the benefits of laughing gas sedation, the staff at Kay’s Dental Clinic are here to help. We can offer sedation for almost any procedure or appointment, Contact us on 0772639308 or 0750639308 to get started, and schedule your next appointment right away.
Inhalation sedation is a light form of sedation. It is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen breathed through a nosepiece /mask. This helps the child or adult to feel relaxed and accept treatment. It is used by dentists all over the world to ease anxiety for patients with dental phobia. It is not general anaesthesia.
Nitrous oxide slows down your body's responses. Depending on the amount inhaled, nitrous oxide can cause feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness, fits of giggles and laughter – hence the nickname 'laughing gas'
Nitrous oxide is a safe, common sedation method that's appropriate for adults and children. Its safety is largely determined by the fact that it acts quickly and also wears off quickly. Yet, side effects can occur after use. These include headache, nausea and in some cases vomiting. Most side effects are mild and reversible and don't cause lasting damage. In addition, our Porter’s Matrx MDM Flowmeter is manufacturer calibrated to ensure that Nitrous oxide gas levels never go over the safe limit.
Unlike general anesthesia, nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. You will still be conscious and aware of your surroundings, allowing you to communicate with your dentist and follow any instructions they give you.
Nitrous oxide affects the nervous system, which dulls sensitivity to pain. This gas helps take away the anxiety and allows patients to feel calm. However, local anesthetic may still be used to help dull pain. Laughing gas can help take away the pain, but some patients still feel mild discomfort.
Patients who have any conditions causing limited lung capacity or obstructive pulmonary diseases should not be administered laughing gas. Allergy to Nitrous oxide is another contraindication. The dentist will require a detailed medical history before Nitrous oxide is administered.