Nitrous oxide has helped dentists and numerous patients reduce anxiety during a dental procedure. Record has indicated that a large percentage of the American population fears going to the dentist’s office for any sort of dental treatment. This has affected the oral health of most individuals, as scheduling regular dental checkups also poses a great fear.
We provide nitrous oxide in Pineville, NC to erase the anxiety our patients have when it comes to receiving dental treatments. Avoiding the dentist is never the answer to your dental problems, and that’s why sedation dentistry was introduced.
Sedation dentistry involves the use of nitrous oxide to help patients feel calm and relaxed before, during, and after a dental procedure. Our Pineville dentist, Dr. Raynald L. Desameau, DMD, uses nitrous oxide to effectively keep you relaxed, especially if you have any form of anxiety about getting a dental treatment.
However, it’s important to know that most dental procedures are painless, but some can make you feel pain. So, in today’s guide, Dr. Raynald will explain the benefits of nitrous oxide in sedation dentistry, how it’s used, and how it can effectively help alleviate the anxiety you feel to get the best dental care you deserve.
What Is Nitrous Oxide and What Does it Do?
Nitrous oxide, which is sometimes simply called nitrous or N2O is a natural, odorless, non-flammable, and colorless gas. It is also regarded as a laughing gas due to its pacifying, euphoric, and hysterical feeling patients experience when administered, and it’s generally used as anesthesia during dental procedures.
Nitrous oxide is also used in our day-to-day life, for instance, it’s used as an engine fuel additive, as a propellant in food products, and in healthcare (dentistry) as a sedative. Laughing gas is occasionally administered alongside oxygen and also has a mild sweet taste.
Most sedation dentists in Pineville, NC, use Nitrous oxide in dentistry as a major safe anesthetic for adults and children. More importantly, nitrous oxide side effects are minimal and don’t pose a major risk to patients. Hence, it’s considered to be safe by the American Dental Association.
How is Nitrous Oxide Used During Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide had been used in sedation dentistry for over 150 years. It is breathed in by patients throughout a dental procedure, serving as an anesthetic. Our sedation dentist in Pineville uses laughing gas to remove fear and pain that they would normally feel during dental treatment, and as such, they feel relaxed and calm during the entire procedure. Some patients may even giggle during the procedure, which is a good indication that the patient is completely comfortable and isn’t feeling pain.
The exciting and effective thing about nitrous oxide is that the laughing gas kicks in a couple of minutes, and the effects also wane off in less time. So patients can easily go back to their normal daily routine with little to no side effects. For a better understanding of how we provide sedation dentistry in Pineville, NC to our patients, check out the following before-and-after breakdown of what your laugh gas dentist does to enhance your safety during treatment.
Before the Procedure
Before Dr. Raynald performs sedation dentistry to treat a patient, consent is required from the patient (if an adult), or the parent or guardian (if children). You need to be aware of the importance and possible side effects of using nitrous oxide.
Patients can have a light meal and a drink two hours before the procedure which leads to the administration of the anesthesia. In some cases, your or your child’s oxygen level may drop during the procedure. In situations like this, you will be given an oxygen mask and our dental team will carefully check your breathing throughout the treatment duration.
During the Procedure
Nitrous oxide sedation is administered to you while you’re positioned in a dental chair. However, care needs to be taken when administering it, which is why our dentist in Pineville places a small nose piece on you so you can breathe the sedation gas. Once the effect kicks in, you will feel relaxed and sleepy.
Although you will still be conscious about what’s going on around you, you will mostly feel warm, dreamy, and floaty, and also some tingling in your hands and feet. Another thing is that you may not be able to recall the procedure afterward.
Our friendly dental team will monitor the level of sedation when it’s been administered to ensure you’re able to hear and comply with verbal instructions. Other local anesthesia may also be given so you don’t feel pain and this can be done while you’re sedated.
After the Procedure
A few minutes after the procedure, you would begin to recover from the effects of the nitrous oxide. Although, you will still be observed for a brief moment after the sedation has worn off. Sometimes, getting nitrous oxide sedation in Pineville, near Charlotte, NC, may make you feel a little sick or nauseated. Water or clear liquids, like icy poles, clear soup, or diluted fruit juice can help keep you hydrated.
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe for Dental Procedures?
Yes! Nitrous oxide is safe for dental procedures. Nitrous oxide is generally considered one of the safest options for providing ease and anxiety relief to patients undergoing certain dental treatments. While it is safe to go along with this belief, it’s more important to get your knowledge from one of the best dentists near Pineville about nitrous oxide side effects and its benefits.
Some possible side effects of nitrous oxide include:
- Forgetfulness, fatigue, and brain fog.
- Development of fibromyalgia.
- Reduction in the level of B12 in the body.
Despite these side effects, the benefits of nitrous oxide cannot be over-emphasized. It is not just a safe and effective sedative, but also enhances patients during dental treatment, especially during a wisdom teeth extraction. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas helps eliminate the gag reflex, which is common among patients. It eliminates unwanted movement during the procedure which ultimately maximizes safety all through the treatment process.
Can Everyone Use Our Nitrous Oxide in Pineville, NC?
While our nitrous oxide in Pineville near Charlotte is an effective and safe sedative, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Certain people are susceptible to several risk factors for using nitrous oxide.
Always make sure to speak with your Pineville dentist if you’re having any of the following conditions:
- A history of substance abuse
- Any previous or present mental health conditions
- You’re currently in the first trimester of pregnancy
- A vitamin B-12 deficiency
- A history of respiratory illness
- A methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, and more.
Laughing gas can greatly ease anxiety and pain during a dental procedure. However, if you know you are in the best position to benefit from nitrous oxide use in dentistry, schedule an appointment with our laugh gas dentist to inquire about the available options we have.
Safe & Effective Sedation Dentistry With Nitrous Oxide in Pineville, NC
Laughing gas works quickly to relax a patient’s anxiety during treatment. More importantly, the effects wear away very quickly after Dr. Raynald L. Desameau, DMD, our skilled dentist in Pineville, helps you breathe pure oxygen through one of our comfortable masks.
We administer nitrous oxide in Pineville, NC to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your treatment. More importantly, a one-time experience receiving nitrous oxide in dentistry care will gradually eradicate the anxiety you feel and help you develop the confidence to visit your dentist for checkups.
If you’re seeking an end to your fear and anxiety each time you’re visiting your dentist, then consider using nitrous oxide, especially if recommended by your dentist. Visit our sedation dentist in Pineville, NC, to take care of your oral health without worries or fear.
