4 Things About Using Laughing Gas for Dental Sedation

27 September 2019
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Are you looking into using dental sedation for an upcoming dental procedure that you need to have done? Some of the things that you've heard about laughing gas, technically called nitrous oxide, may have you feeling uneasy about using this form of sedation. Here is some key information you need to know about using this safe form of sedation.

It Won't Relieve Your Pain

One thing to understand about using laughing gas is that it is not designed to relieve your pain. The purpose of the gas is to help you feel relaxed and comfortable about the procedure that you are about to have done. Laughing gas will be used with Novocain to numb the area of the mouth that will be worked on, so don't worry about a dentist just using laughing gas so that you do not remember the procedure.

It Leaves You Partially Awake

There are some forms of dental sedation that will knock out you out completely when you use it. This includes IV sedation, which will cause you to wake up with no memory of the procedure. Laughing gas is considered a very mild form of anesthesia, and you'll be conscious the entire time while it is administered. Your capable of communicating and answering questions that your dentist asks of you, and will be very agreeable to sitting back and relaxing in the dental chair.

It Makes You Feel Silly

The reason that laughing gas has its nickname is that it tends to make people feel a bit silly when they are using it. You may even be likely to say things that you wouldn't normally say while you are under the influence of the gas. While you won't act like a totally different person, it is important to be aware of the effects that the gas can have on you so that you are well prepared.

It Has a Minimal Recovery Period

The great thing about using laughing gas is that the recovery period is minimal compared to other forms of dental sedation. Once the gas is no longer administered, it will take a matter of minutes for you to return back to normal. This means that you can drive to the dental appointment on your own and be completely capable of driving a vehicle afterward. There shouldn't be a lasting effect on your system that would make driving unsafe for you.

Learn more about dental sedation by contacting local dental services.