What Is Nitrous Oxide?
- Nitrous oxide is a form of nitrogen which has a sweet scent and taste.
- During medical or dental procedures, the gas is mixed with oxygen then inhaled through a nose mask.
- Within minutes, you should feel calm and experience an overall sense relaxation.
- You will be able to breathe on your own, move your limbs, and be conscious enough to hear and respond to our dentist’s questions.
- The effects of nitrous oxide disappear minutes after the mask is removed and the anaesthetic is rapidly eliminated from your body.
- Recreational use of nitrous oxide for its euphoric effects can be dangerous. At dental offices however, the drug is mixed with oxygen to mitigate any dangers.
- This ensures oxygen reaches the brain and prevents dangerous side effects or hypoxia.
- Nitrous oxide inhalation is a safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety, produce analgesia, and enhance effective communication.
- Nitrous oxide is non-addictive and non-allergic, however, it may cause nausea in a few patients.
- The drug is not recommended for people with some medical conditions such as chronic pulmonary disease.
- We recognize that all patients are different and encourage you to talk with Drs. Bommarito, MacGowan and Zariczniak about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.
Our team wants to help all patients in Hamilton, Ontario to overcome dental anxiety, so please, give us a call at Stonehill Dental.
For more information about dental sedation, please refer to the article by my colleague & Kitchener Dentist, Dr. Kyle Hornby, here.
