Laughing gas is safe for patients of all ages, including children.
We offer laughing gas so patients feel safe and comfortable in the dentist’s chair while receiving treatment. If your child has , laughing gas may be able to help.
What Is Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas is used for a range of dental procedures, from teeth cleanings to fillings. However, some procedures will still require local anesthesia to manage pain.
Some of the benefits of laughing gas include:
- Quick recovery
- Full awareness
- No side effects
- Reduced dental anxiety
1. Quick Recovery
We administer laughing gas via a mask we place over your child’s nose. This mix of laughing gas and oxygen works quickly to put your child at ease. Likewise, the calming effects of laughing gas wear off almost immediately after we remove the mask.
Other forms of require you to take most of the day off to recover from the effects of the sedation. But with laughing gas, your child will be able to return to school after their appointment.
2. Full Awareness
Laughing gas is different from sleep dentistry because your child will be awake and fully aware during the procedure. This means that your child can cooperate if our dentist needs them to open their mouth wider or tilt their head to access a tooth.
The idea of being completely asleep during a dental procedure can actually increase dental anxiety for certain patients. With laughing gas, your child can stay awake and aware while still remaining calm and relaxed.
3. No Side Effects
The best part about laughing gas is that there are no side effects, which makes it perfect for patients of all ages, including children. In fact, adults who are given laughing gas are able to drive themselves home or return to work after an appointment.
There will be no need to monitor your child for side effects after a dental procedure with laughing gas. Instead, you can take them back to school.
4. Reduced Dental Anxiety
Children with dental anxiety require special care so they can maintain healthy smiles and learn oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. The more anxiety your child feels about going to the dentist, the less likely they’ll continue necessary dental care into adulthood.
We understand that your child’s early years are crucial for forming good impressions, which is why we offer laughing gas. Laughing gas will help your child stay calm while receiving pediatric dental care.
We also know from experience that fear of the dentist often stems from a patient’s fear of losing control. Since your child will be awake and aware while receiving laughing gas, they will feel more in control of their treatment, hopefully decreasing their dental anxiety.
Protect Your Child’s Smile
If you have any questions about laughing gas, please feel free to call our office. We are always more than happy to answer any questions you may have about your child’s dental care.
Our Grand Rapids, MI, pediatric dentist and his team are dedicated to helping our youngest patients maintain healthy smiles by using laughing gas to increase their comfort. Call Precision Family Dental today at (616) 949-1570, or contact us online to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.