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Nitrous Oxide
Common
Questions & Answers
Many children are calm, comfortable,
and confident in our office. Because our practice
specializes in treating children we make children feel
special. The office is especially designed for
children. Staff members choose to work in our office
because they enjoy working with and helping children.
Sometimes, however, a child feels anxious during
treatment. Your child may need more support than a
gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable. Nitrous
oxide/oxygen is a safe, effective technique to calm a
child’s fear of the visit. It has very few minor side
effects.
Q:
What is nitrous oxide?
A: Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend
of 2 gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it
is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect.
Normal breathing eliminates nitrous oxide/oxygen from
the body.
Q: How will by
child feel when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen?
A: Your child will smell a sweet,
pleasant aroma and experience a sense of well being and
relaxation. If your child is worried by the sights,
sounds, or sensations of dental treatment, he/she may
respond more positively with the use of nitrous
oxide/oxygen.
Q: How safe
is nitrous oxide/oxygen?
A: Very safe. Nitrous oxide/oxygen
is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is
nonaddictive. It is mild, easily taken, then quickly
eliminated by the body. Your child remains fully
conscious, keeps all conscious, keeps all natural
reflexes, when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen.
Q: What are
the side effects of nitrous oxide?
A: Nausea is an occasional side
effect of nitrous oxide in children. Your child may also
experience a mild tingling in his/her hands and feet,
warm sensations throughout the body, the feeling of
drifting or floating, a disconnection from what is going
on around him/her or a dreamlike state.
Q: Are
there any special instructions for nitrous oxide/oxygen?
A: First, give your child little or
no food before the dental visit. (Occasionally, nausea
or vomiting occurs when a child has a full stomach.)
Second, tell our dentist about any respiratory condition
that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your
child. It may limit the effectiveness of nitrous
oxide/oxygen. Third, tell our dentist if your child is
taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
Q: Will
nitrous oxide/oxygen work for all children?
A: We know that all children are not
alike! Every service in our office is tailored to your
child as an individual. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is not
effective for some children, especially those who have
severe anxiety, nasal congestion, extensive treatment
needs, or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. Our dentists
have comprehensive specialty training and can offer
other sedation methods that are right for your child.
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