Nitrous oxide sedation - No more cries or worries!

Our clinic, Little Molar, has updated to nitrous oxide sedation - also known as Laughing gas. It is a mild sedative agent that safely and effectively manages pain and anxiety during dental treatment. The colorless and odorless nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. Patients are asked to breathe normally and should feel the effects of the laughing gas within minutes.

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Since there is a huge gap in patient awareness and many misconceptions regarding its use and benefits, I thought of busting some of the common myths!

 

• Myth 1 : Sedation means Unconscious

As you can see, my patient is not only conscious, she is also very keenly observing me and watching closely what I am doing. Nitrous oxide is there simply to calm and alleviate fears and anxiety. It only works to relax the patient, not make them unconscious! 

 

• Myth 2: It is not safe

Nitrous oxide is the only category of sedation where I can say it is 100% safe and has no side effects whatsoever. 

 

• Myth 3: There are side effects on the body

Nitrous oxide remains in lungs only as long as it is supplied. After the procedure, we give 100% oxygen which completely displaces nitrous oxide and patient has no side effects. 

 

• Myth 4 : I am going to laugh uncontrollably

Nitrous oxide can induce a state of happiness but not laughter (as shown in films). You will definitely feel relaxed, calm and some of us may even experience mild euphoria. Some children have said they feel light and floaty and happy! But rest assured, these feelings are transient and fade away as soon as the unit is shut off.

 

• Myth 5: It is a miracle gas

While nitrous oxide certainly reduces fear and anxiety and calms the patient, not every tantrumic child can be managed with nitrous alone. Without basic behaviour management by the pediatric dentist, even nitrous may fail. I can only CONVINCE the child to breathe in the gas, NOT FORCE him/her. 

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