Does your child need to go to the dentist, but you are wondering if they should be using laughing gas for dental sedation to help them through it? Here are some things you should know about using this form of dental sedation.

Is Laughing Gas A Safe Form Of Dental Sedation?

When you compare all of the different forms of dental sedation, you'll find that nitrous oxide is one of the safest forms to use on a child while at the dentist. The gas does not have lingering effects long after it stops being used, so your child will feel like themselves again fairly soon after the gas is removed. 

What Procedures Should Laughing Gas Be Used For? 

You should consider having your child use laughing gas in a situation where they are nervous about going to the dentist. It could be that they need to get their very first cavity filling, or that they need a major procedure done like a tooth extraction. The purpose of sedation is to calm someone's nerves when they go to the dentist and make the experience positive. Do not feel like it can only be used on a very invasive procedure and that it cannot be an option for your child.

Can Laughing Gas Help Ease Dental Anxiety?

One thing that parents do not realize is how important it is to make going to the dentist a positive experience for their child so that they do not have anxiety about future visits. If they have a bad experience due to dental sedation not being used for a dental procedure, it could result in them having more anxiety about going to the dentist for the next visit, even if it is a simple filling. 

When Would Laughing Gas Be Administered?

It is important that your child has the laughing gas administered before the procedure starts. Do not feel like you should hold off on using it until the start to experience anxiety about the dental procedure. This will be too late, and the negative experience about going to the dentist will already be created in their mind.

Will Novocaine Still Be Used?

Even though your child will be using laughing gas as a form of dental sedation, Novocaine will still be used to numb the area of the mouth that the dentist is working on. Laughing gas will help with anxiety, but not do anything to prevent them from experiencing pain.

If your child is nervous about going to the dentist, talk to your family dentist to see if sedation is the right option.