When we think of the dentist, we think of two things: the second being laughing gas!
What is laughing gas?
The chemistry plays out to be Nitrous Oxide. Oxygen combined with Nitrogen has the ability to lower your heart rate. This often reduces anxiety, therefore making it an anxiolytic category medication.
Believe it or not!? The dentist and staff are attempting to make your experience at the dentist as pleasant as possible. This is one of the multiple mediums implemented to achieve success.
Nitrous is administered with Oxygen and in increments of 5% not to exceed more than 70% nitrous. With the oxygen content never less than 30%, this maintains high levels of safe practice. For contrast and comparison, the average air we breathe in our natural atmosphere lands in the low 20% range. Making the levels of oxygen much greater even at the maximum level of nitrous administered.
Some side effects may include:
- Digits and Appendages feeling light and almost floating
- Laughing, giggling
- Tired, drowsy
- Emotional
- Nausea
When safely administered and close monitoring of the patient occurs, the effects of nitrous oxide are pleasant, reversible, and effective for our treatment of patients. We always allow the patient to breathe 100% oxygen to complete the procedure which is a literal Oxygen bar experience returning all remaining nitrogen out of the lungs and out of the body.
Read more articles from Dr. Dax!
Why Does Ice Cream Hurt My Teeth?
What is Baseline Oral Health, and why is it important for our family’s?
