Gentle Dentistry for Kids: Nitrous Oxide Conscious Sedation
Some children are just too fearful to receive necessary dental care. In that type of situation, conscious sedation with nitrous oxide may be recommended to help make your child’s experience of dental treatment stress-free. Schaefer Dental Group prioritizes a positive experience for all our young patients in Lansing, Michigan.
Nitrous oxide, a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor, is a safe and effective method of administering conscious sedation. This means that a child will stay awake during the procedure but feel completely relaxed—even happy. All bodily functions remain normal during the administration of nitrous oxide, and its effects wear off quickly afterwards.
How Is Nitrous Oxide Administered to Children?
As a form of conscious sedation, nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask that fits comfortably over a child’s nose. The gas is mixed with oxygen as it is being delivered, and both gases are always kept at a level that is safe for the body.
- In just a few minutes, the child may start to experience a floating sensation and perhaps some tingling. That’s a sign that the sedation is working.
- Nitrous oxide is an anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing agent). For some procedures, a child may not need an anesthetic injection, and even if they do need a numbing shot, they won’t mind at all while under sedation.
- The child remains awake, able to speak, aware of what’s going on, and in control. The dose is fine-tuned to the level of sedation they need to be comfortable yet alert.
When the procedure is over, the flow of nitrous oxide is decreased to zero, and the oxygen will be increased. After resting in the chair for a few minutes, the child will feel completely normal and can resume their day.
Who Can Benefit From Nitrous Oxide?
Any child whose anxiety would preclude necessary dental treatment can benefit from conscious sedation with nitrous oxide. Before your child is treated, you will be asked for a complete medical history, including any medications your child is taking, to ensure their safety and comfort. Your child will likely not remember a thing about the procedure afterwards, helping to prevent future dental fear.