Nitrous oxide/oxygen is administered by inhalation and is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”. A mask is fitted over your child’s nose, and as he or she breathes, there will be a feeling of relaxation. Nitrous oxide also raises the pain threshold so your child will feel less during the procedure. Any child who is feeling nervous or anxious about dental treatment may benefit from the use of nitrous oxide. It is extremely safe and well-tolerated by patients of all ages. At the end of the procedure, the nitrous oxide is turned off and there are no lasting effects.
From a practical standpoint, we ask children to pick a smell that they like (strawberry, vanilla, cotton candy) and place the smell inside the mask. During the procedure, we simply place the mask on the child’s nose and ask them to smell.