If you have dental anxiety in The Golden Triangle, Capitol Hill, or anywhere else in Downtown Denver, the office of Poulos & Somers offers a wide range of sedation options for our patients to keep you comfortable under any circumstance.

If you’re not sure whether sedation is right for you, our team wants to equip you with all of the information you’ll need to make the best choice for your dental care. To start our blog series that outlines each sedation option, we want to tell you everything you need to know about “laughing gas,” including how it's administered and what to expect with nitrous oxide. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering this sedative during your next appointment:

What Is Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is one of the most commonly used methods of sedation in dentistry. The gas is composed of both nitrogen and oxygen, which composes about 78% of the air that we breathe. It is colorless and odorless, and completely safe. When administered and inhaled, the gas enters the bloodstream very quickly, making it a highly effective sedative for medical procedures.

How Is Laughing Gas Administered?

When laughing gas is inhaled, it has a number of anti-anxiety, analgesic, and euphoric effects. Laughing gas is typically administered alongside supplemental oxygen to ensure proper flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. Most of the gas is breathed out, and only a small amount is absorbed into the bloodstream.

What Can I Expect From Laughing Gas Treatment?

If you opt to have laughing gas administered at the dentist, you’ll be given a special breathing mask, which fits comfortably over your nose. You’ll breathe in through your nose, and our dentists will control the flow of the gas to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your procedure. You’ll likely feel giggly, and your pain threshold will be higher due to the analgesic effects of the gas. However, these effects last only about 5 minutes before they wear off, so you don’t have to worry about any long-term side effects after your treatment. You can even drive yourself home!

Is Laughing Gas Okay For Kids?

Yes! Laughing gas is perfectly safe for kids. In fact, it’s the most widely-preferred method for sedating children of all ages during pediatric dental appointments. Administered laughing gas can help the dentist seem less scary, and keep your kid safe during their procedure if they’re nervous, uncomfortable around strangers, or otherwise worried about going to the dentist.

Know What To Expect With Laughing Gas

Laughing gas is effective for children and adults alike, and if you have a mild case of dental anxiety, or you’d simply like to relax in the dentist’s chair, it’s a great option for you. If you’d like more information, or if you want to schedule an appointment with our team of dentists, contact us now at (303) 832-4867, or come by our office at 700 Broadway, Suite 1135, Denver, CO 80203.