If you’re in need of a dental procedure, you may have heard your dentist mention “laughing gas.” Don’t worry, the anesthetic is as worry-free as the name would imply! Before going in for your oral surgery or dental care procedure, here are a few things you should know about this commonly used anesthetic.
1. “Laughing Gas” is the common name for nitrous oxide.
Laughing gas and nitrous oxide are one in the same—a safe and effective anesthetic and sedation method administered to dental patients through a mask in an oxygen mixture. Laughing gas won’t put you to sleep like general anesthesia. Instead, inhaling this mixture will make you feel a slight light tingling sensation. You will have a feeling of general numbness throughout the body and become a bit lightheaded, but you will still be able to communicate with your dentist throughout the procedure. All in all,laughing gas makes uncomfortable procedures easier on the patient.
2. The process of administering laughing gas is quite simple.
Laughing gas does not require shots or IVs for administration. Instead, you simply breathe this mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a facemask. By breathing normally, you can absorb the anesthetic through the lungs and quickly feel the sedative effects. Once the mask has been removed, the effects of nitrous oxide sedation will wear off quickly by simply inhaling and exhaling!
3. Nitrous oxide has been used for centuries.
Medical professionals have been using nitrous oxide as an oral sedation method for their patients for a very long time now—over 200 years, to be exact! Laughing gas was first discovered in 1793 by an English scientist named Joseph Priestly. Now, it is still one of the most commonly used anesthetics. Although nitrous oxide is commonly recognized as a secure and efficient sedative, it may not be suitable for everyone. Below are some factors that may increase the risks associated with using nitrous oxide. It is important to inform your dentist if you are in the early age of pregnancy, have respiratory issues, vitamin B12 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, and a history of substance abuse and depression symptoms.
4. There are a number of benefits to using nitrous oxide.
Dentists love using nitrous oxide for quite a few reasons. First, the depth of sedation can be easily increased and decreased. It also works very rapidly (in about 2 or 3 minutes) and is very safe for the brain, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Nitrous oxide is commonly used in pediatric dentistry and family dentistry. It is safe for young patients, patients with disabilities, and patients with dental anxiety—the calming and numbing effects work quickly and there are no needles required!
5. Laughing gas is very safe when administered by a trained professional.
Nitrous oxide is very safe and does not damage any of your internal organs. In fact, the only real dangers from using nitrous oxide when administered by a professional are the disorienting effects—meaning you could trip or fall if you stand too quickly. Thankfully, these effects only last for 3-5 minutes after the mask has been removed. You will not experience any “hangover” effects from the nitrous oxide and you will be able to safely drive yourself home after the dental treatment procedure.Do you have any questions about your upcoming dental procedure? We’re here to help! Call your local River North or Loop dentist, or talk to an oral surgeon in downtown Chicago today!Sources:[https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/anesthesia/what-does-laughing-gas-do]
FAQs
The gas is given through a small nosepiece, and your child will be awake throughout the procedure. Children usually recover quickly from the effects of the gas after their dental treatment has been completed.
What are the guidelines for nitrous oxide administration? ›
Inhalation via nasal mask. Most commonly, nitrous oxide gas is delivered in a 70:30 mix with oxygen. The 2:1 ratio of nitrous oxide to oxygen is also used in medical anesthesia. The typically administered mix is comparable to the 21% of oxygen present in natural atmospheric air.
What does nitrous oxide do to your brain? ›
Inhaling nitrous oxide produces a rapid and short lived rush of euphoria, happiness or excitement. Other effects can include: dissociation of the mind from the body (a sense of floating) changes in thoughts, feelings and perceptions.
Does nitrous oxide make you numb? ›
Symptoms that may occur after repeated inhalation of nitrous oxide: Numbness/tingling/pain in the legs and/or arms. Muscle weakness.
Do you act weird on laughing gas? ›
Though it can lower your inhibitions slightly, it will usually not lead to unusual behaviors like starting to blurt out your secrets or making you say weird things. Instead, laughing gas can make you a bit more giggly, as the popular name suggests, and a bit disoriented and confused.
Can you still feel pain with laughing gas? ›
Nitrous oxide or laughing gas will help you relax and increase your body's pain threshold. This means that it will not directly numb you, but a sensation that you would normally perceive as painful may not trigger a pain response when on laughing gas.
Who should avoid nitrous oxide? ›
The clinician should avoid using nitrous oxide in severe cardiac disease, but further studies are needed to determine the actual impact. The first trimester of pregnancy: Due to the above-referenced impact on B12 and folate metabolism, nitrous use is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy.
What not to do before nitrous oxide? ›
You don't need to fast (avoid eating or drinking except water), or take any pills before your appointment. However, we do recommend that you avoid eating a big meal within 2 hours before your appointment.
Why do dentists not use nitrous oxide anymore? ›
Although there is no ban on nitrous oxide, many dentists and clinicians do not use the gas anymore because of the risk to patients. It is extremely rare, but nitrous oxide can be fatal. According to PubMed, nitrous oxide has killed people by hypoxia, where oxygen levels drop too low in the body.
Is there any negative side effects to nitrous oxide? ›
Side effects of N2O include transient dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition, and weakness in the legs.
Once your procedure is over, your doctor will remove the mask that's providing the nitrous oxide. The effects of laughing gas typically wear off within a few minutes. Children might be given 100% oxygen following the removal of the nitrous oxide mask. The oxygen helps them to fully recover within minutes.
What are the serious side effects of nitrous oxide? ›
If a large amount of nitrous oxide is inhaled it can produce:
- low blood pressure.
- fainting.
- heart attack.
- long-term paralysis/paraplegia/quadriplegia.
- do not get enough oxygen (hypoxia)
- sudden death.
It is often used in dentistry because it has fewer side effects than oral sedatives, making it a safer option for young children and patients with underlying medical conditions. Laughing gas can cause a feeling of euphoria, but this effect is short-lived and wears off quickly once the patient stops inhaling it.
Which is better anesthesia or laughing gas? ›
Yes, general anesthesia and IV sedation are stronger than laughing gas. While nitrous oxide provides relaxation and reduces pain perception, IV sedation or general anesthesia will induce a deep sleep-like state where the patient is unaware of the procedure.
What are the long-term effects of laughing gas? ›
Long-term effects
Prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide may result in: memory loss. vitamin B12 depletion (long-term depletion causes brain and nerve damage) ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Is laughing gas like being drunk? ›
Most patients report the affects of laughing gas as a feeling of well-being, almost like a “happy drunk”, though nitrous oxide has none of the affects on judgment or coordination that being drunk has. Many patients also report physical sensations, such as a warm or light vibration sensation in the body.
How do they wake you up from laughing gas? ›
After the nitrous oxide is turned off, patients need to receive oxygen for at least five minutes to avoid headaches. The oxygen purges the remaining gas from the lungs while helping the patient become more alert and awake.
What is laughing gas high like? ›
Nitrous oxide slows down your brain and your body's responses, and the effects of the drug varies depending on how much has been inhaled. Taking nitrous oxide can cause: feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness. fits of giggles and laughter – hence the nickname 'laughing gas'
