WHAT IS LAUGHING GAS?

If you get nervous about visiting your dentist in Belmont, or if you have an upcoming procedure that requires sedation, then your dentist may recommend laughing gas. Laughing gas is a popular choice for sedation dentistry because it works almost immediately, is quickly reversible, and above all else, is effective.

Laughing gas is nitrous oxide. When it is inhaled, it causes a pleasurable feeling that makes dental procedures comfortable, even if you are typically a nervous patient. If your dentist chooses nitrous oxide as sedation for you, you will inhale it through a mask. The gas is odorless and colorless, but you will feel the effects almost immediately. If necessary, your dentist can give you more after the initial effects wear off.

After you receive nitrous oxide, you will be given oxygen for at least five minutes. This reduces the risk of side effects, such as a headache, fatigue, and nausea. Your dentist may also recommend that you avoid big meals for about three hours after your laughing gas so that you don’t experience any gastrointestinal upset.