Dental work can be intimidating for even the toughest of adults, so it’s understandable that kids can feel a bit nervous as well. At Rio Dental and Orthodontics, everyone on our gentle and compassionate team has a calming chairside manner to put your child at ease. But we know that some children need extra tender loving care, so we also provide nitrous oxide sedation dentistry in Irving to make every visit comfortable and anxiety-free. If you want to help your child have a positive experience in the dental chair at every appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that’s sometimes called “happy gas” or “laughing gas,” and is breathed through a small, comfortable nosepiece.
Although your child will remain awake throughout their visit, they’ll feel calm, relaxed, and possibly a bit drowsy. Some children describe their experience as “dreamy” or “floaty,” and may have a tingly feeling in their hands and feet.
Our team will closely monitor your child from start to finish to make sure their breathing and heart rate are normal, and that they’re alert enough to cooperate and respond to verbal instructions.
Is It Safe For Kids?
As a children’s dentist in Irving, our top priority is the well-being and comfort of our patients. Everyone on our team has extensive advanced training to administer nitrous oxide in the safest way possible, and you’ll be glad to know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry also recognizes it as safe and effective for kids.
In addition, nitrous oxide has been safely and successfully used for many decades. It has a proven track record of being effective and well-tolerated by most children, without any long-term side effects.
However, it’s important to note that some children feel nauseous or get an upset stomach from breathing nitrous oxide, in which case we’ll immediately discontinue its use. To minimize this risk, we recommend giving children a light meal or snack (e.g. soup, applesauce, toast with jelly), about two hours prior to their procedure, with no more food or beverages until after their appointment.
What Are the Benefits of Nitrous Oxide?
One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide is that it starts working quickly and also wears off almost immediately. Children feel alert, awake, and back to normal within minutes of being finished with their appointment so they can go back to school and resume normal activities for the day.
Here are some additional benefits of nitrous oxide:
- Improves cooperation in kids and our ability to communicate with them during a procedure
- Makes longer appointments easier to tolerate
- It’s especially helpful for our special needs patients
- Reduces gagging
- Can make dental work a more positive experience for kids and help them avoid dental phobia as they get older
If your child has struggled in the past to get the care they need from a pediatric dentist in Irving, feel free to schedule a consultation. We’ll carefully evaluate their dental history so we can recommend the absolute best sedation option for them.
