Nitrous Oxide
Colorado Springs, CO
Nitrous Oxide provided by Andrew Miller, DDS
and Francisco Darquea, DDS
in Colorado Springs, CO at SmileCOS Dentistry
 Nearly all adults are afraid of at least one thing and go out of their way to avoid it. Three-fourths of all adults have a fear so extreme that their thoughts are no longer rational.
If you were to look at the list of most common fears, dentophobia is likely to be on that list. Nearly one-third of all Americans have moderate anxiety about going to the dentist, and of those adults, nearly 15 percent have a fear of dentists that is so severe it prevents them from accessing basic dental services, such as dental exams and cleanings.
For people with dental anxiety, there are resources available that SmileCOS Dentistry can use to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and allow a person to access dental services. One of those resources is called sedation dentistry.
Conscious sedation during your dental visit may give you anxiety relief and allow you to have dental procedures completed. The most widely used form of dental sedation is nitrous oxide.
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What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is not a new concept in medicine. Dentists have been using sedation techniques for nearly 200 years for two basic reasons. First, dental sedation allows a patient to relax during dental procedures that may be causing them anxiety.
Relaxation during dental procedures is vital to patient comfort and well-being. If a patient is relaxed, dentists are able to do yearly dental cleanings and checkups, as well as more time-consuming procedures, without worrying their patient is afraid or uncomfortable. Second, sedation allows complex dental procedures, such as minor oral surgery, to continue, improving the quality of life.
Dental sedation can take more than one form. Nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is used frequently for procedures in the dental office. Some patients prefer to have oral sedation instead, which means a dentist will prescribe medication they can swallow either right before they arrive at the dental office or when they arrive for their appointment. If you have severe anxiety or you are having a major dental procedure, some dentists or oral surgeons may recommend IV sedation or general anesthesia.
If you have concerns about dental anxiety, it is really important that you discuss your fears or preoccupations with our dentist before you have procedures done in our office. Having a frank discussion about dental anxiety and what you may need to be more comfortable will help you relax and help us keep you comfortable.
Why Is Nitrous Oxide Used?
While other forms of dental sedation are used in dentistry, nitrous oxide is one of the oldest. Dentists first started using nitrous oxide for their procedures around the time of the Civil War, and it is easy to understand why. For most people, nitrous oxide can be breathed in through a mask.
Nitrous oxide gives patients a feeling of lowered anxiety because it works to relax their muscles and dilate their blood vessels, which allows them to breathe more easily. Nitrous oxide allows patients to communicate with the dentist throughout the procedure.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Nitrous Oxide?
There are both positives and negatives of using nitrous oxide. In addition to a feeling of relaxation and lowered inhibitions in patients who use it, nitrous oxide also provides physical relaxation symptoms, such as regulated breathing, fewer movements, and lowered blood pressure.
Nitrous oxide is safe and can be used on children as young as two as well as for adults in their nineties. It is easy to use because the dentist controls the flow of nitrous oxide into a mask the patient wears over their mouth. Patients begin to notice the effects of nitrous oxide after five or 10 minutes, which means the effects of the gas begin to wear away in minutes once the airflow is turned off. Many patients like using nitrous oxide during dental visits because there are no injections or needles involved.
Laughing gas has disadvantages for some patients. Although most dental patients cannot taste or smell nitrous oxide, some report tasting something sweet or metallic when it is administered. Also, nitrous oxide can make some patients nauseated. There are patients with chronic diseases who are not good candidates for nitrous oxide use. If you are having an involved dental procedure, nitrous oxide may not be the dental sedative you need.
Am I a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Many dental patients are able to use nitrous oxide without an issue. However, some people may not be able to use this form of dental sedation.
Patients with chronic lung disease like COPD, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should not use laughing gas. If you are suffering from an illness, such as a cold, severe allergies, or bronchitis, you also will not be able to have nitrous.
Nitrous oxide cannot be used if you have some neurological disorders such as seizures, dementia, stroke, Huntingtons disease, or Parkinsons disease. Pregnant women should not use nitrous oxide because it could affect the fetus.
Certain classes of medication also do not interact well with laughing gas. If you use allergy or asthma medication that contains antihistamines, sedatives, anti-anxiety medication, or some medications for ADHD, nitrous oxide can also interact with them. Be sure to talk to our dentist before your dental procedures if you take any of the medications on this list.
Finally, people with alcohol or substance use disorder may not be good candidates for nitrous oxide. If you have a history of substance use, our dentist needs to know so they can seek alternative medications to ease your fears before a procedure.
What if I Cannot Use Nitrous Oxide?
If you cannot use nitrous oxide, there are other options to relieve your anxiety during dental procedures. Depending on your level of anxiety, as well as your overall medical history and health, our dentist will be able to work with you so that you can relax and undergo the procedure you need.
Not sure what to do about your dental anxiety? SmileCOS Dentistry can help. Why not contact our office today at (719) 394-3304 so we can schedule a consultation for you?
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