Nitrous Oxide / Oxygen Analgesia

It is important that children remain calm and still during dental treatment to prevent injury to the child and dental staff and to receive high-quality of professional dental care. For children who are afraid, uncooperative, or too young to understand dental treatment, nitrous oxide/oxygen for analgesia may be very beneficial in helping the child relax.

The following information will help parents understand sedation with the use of a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases for safe analgesia.

It is very safe because the child remains awake, responsive and breathes on his/her own without assistance.

Much more oxygen is given than what we breathe in normal room air. This provides a wide margin for safety. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is usually breathed through a small mask placed over the nose.

Dental treatment is more comfortable and time seems to pass faster for a relaxed child.

Sometimes known as “laughing gas” because some patients become so comfortable and relaxed they laugh.

The pediatric dentist will request light breakfast, such as toast and a small amount of clear liquid prior to dental treatment. This will help any vomiting that may occur during nitrous use.

A local anesthetic is given to numb the areas that are to be treated so that there is very little discomfort.

Oxygen is given at the end of treatment to remove the effects of nitrous oxide gas and end the treatment.

The child is awake and sometimes remains relaxed after dental treatment but will continue to feel the numbness in the treated area.