Can Nitrous Oxide Help During Your Next Dental Visit? The Novato Sedation Dentist Explains the Benefits

Written by Dr. McConnell on Oct 3, 2017

Anxiety about dental visits is quite common, and nothing to be embarrassed about. People suffer dental anxiety for many different reasons ranging from a bad childhood experience to worries about gagging during treatment.

Whatever your concern, The Novato sedation dentist has the skill and training needed to provide you with a comfortable, stress-free experience.

Safe, Gentle Nitrous Oxide

For your comfort, we offer nitrous oxide, a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas that we administer through a small mask. Nitrous oxide has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. It is safe, and we calibrate our equipment so that you receive 50–70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide.

You will be able to breathe on your own and will be vaguely aware of the activity around you. You will experience slight euphoria and a type of temporary mild amnesia. Many of our patients don’t remember what happened during their appointment when we use nitrous oxide.

Advantages of Using Nitrous Oxide

  • Your dentist will monitor and adjust the depth of sedation throughout treatment.
  • There is no after effect such as drowsiness.
  • Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
  • Inhalation sedation is very useful in minimizing gagging.
  • Nitrous works quickly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as 2–3 minutes its relaxation and pain killing properties develop.

Reasons Not to Use Nitrous Oxide

We do not recommend nitrous oxide if you have been diagnosed with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Though there are no other significant contraindications to using nitrous oxide, you may not want to use it if you have emphysema, MS, a cold, or other difficulties with breathing. If you are pregnant, we will only recommend nitrous if a local anesthesia is not sufficient to help you relax.

Trust Your Care to Experience and Training

Our doctors have specialized training in delivering safe, effective sedation for our patients. We’ve helped lost of our patients reclaim healthy, beautiful teeth through relaxing sedation dentistry. Please call the Novato sedation dentist if you are ready to eliminate your anxiety and get the care you need.