What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is the gas better known as laughing gas. At the dentist it is mixed with oxygen and breathed in through a small mask that rests over your nose, which leaves your mouth free for the work.
It is the lighter of the two kinds of sedation offered here. You stay awake the whole time, you can talk and answer questions, and you can tell us if anything bothers you. It does not replace numbing: when a tooth needs local anesthetic, it still gets it. Nitrous oxide takes the edge off everything around the treatment.
What does nitrous oxide feel like?
Most people feel relaxed, a little light or tingly, and much less bothered by what is going on around them. Some notice a warm or pleasantly heavy feeling in their arms and legs. Despite the nickname, it is less about laughing than about not minding.
You are still yourself. You know where you are, you hear what is said to you, and you can answer. If it starts to feel like too much, or you feel queasy, say so and the amount can be turned down.
How is nitrous oxide given?
Once you are settled in the chair, the mask goes over your nose and you breathe normally. The amount is adjusted until you feel relaxed but still in touch with what is happening, and it can be changed at any point during the appointment, up or down, depending on how you feel.
Everything else about the visit works as usual. We explain each step before it happens, you can use a signal to stop at any time, and when a treatment needs numbing, the tooth is numbed properly and checked before we start. Feeling relaxed can make the injection easier to face.
How long does nitrous oxide take to wear off?
Not long. Once the mask is off, the effect fades quickly. That is one of the main differences from oral sedation, a prescribed pill that leaves you drowsy for longer and means someone has to drive you home.
Take a moment before you stand up, and tell us if you feel at all unsteady. If you need to drive, go back to work or look after children afterward, mention it when you book, so we can tell you what to expect for the rest of your day.
Who is nitrous oxide right for?
Plenty of people need no sedation at all. Each step explained first, breaks when you need them and a signal to stop are enough for many, and our page on dental anxiety covers that kind of help. If you would rather be drowsier than nitrous oxide makes you, oral sedation is the other option.
Nitrous oxide suits people who want to feel calmer without being drowsy for the rest of the day. It is available on request, for a cleaning as much as for bigger treatment, and it is worth asking about if any of these sound like you:
- Nerves that make every visit harder than it needs to be.
- A strong gag reflex that makes X-rays, scans or cleanings difficult.
- A longer appointment, such as a root canal or several fillings at once, where sitting still is the hard part.
- Dread of the injection, or of the sounds and smells of a dental office.
What to tell us before you have it
Before nitrous oxide, we go through your medical history and every medication you take, including anything bought over the counter, and anything that has changed since your last visit. In particular, tell us about:
- Breathing problems of any kind, including sleep apnea.
- A blocked nose. You breathe the gas in through your nose, so a heavy cold on the day can make it hard to take in enough.
- Pregnancy, or the chance of it. Sedation may not be the right choice then, and we will talk through what else can help.
- How nitrous oxide went for you in the past, good or bad, wherever you had it.
How to ask for nitrous oxide in Pearisburg
Tell us when you call to book, or tell the dentist or hygienist when you sit down. There is no need to explain why you want it. If you are nervous about the visit as a whole, say that as well, because it changes how the appointment runs.
The office is at 300 Tazewell Street in Pearisburg, with parking at the door, and patients are seen Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Our sedation dentistry page explains both kinds of sedation and who each one suits.
Questions patients ask
Will I be awake with nitrous oxide?
Yes. You stay awake the whole time, and you can talk and answer questions. Most people simply feel relaxed and much less bothered by what is going on.
Does nitrous oxide replace the numbing injection?
No. When a treatment needs it, the tooth is still numbed with local anesthetic as usual. Nitrous oxide takes the edge off everything around it, but it is not a substitute for numbing.
Can I have nitrous oxide for a cleaning?
Yes. It is available on request for a cleaning as much as for bigger treatment. Tell us when you book, or tell the hygienist when you sit down.
What if nitrous oxide feels too strong?
Say so. The amount can be adjusted during the appointment, and it wears off quickly once the mask is off. Because you stay awake, you can tell us how you feel at any point.
Is nitrous oxide safe for me?
It is widely used in dental offices, and the review of your health beforehand decides whether it is right for you. Tell us every medication you take, any breathing problems, and whether you are pregnant or might be.