Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is combined with oxygen and channeled through a small mask that the dentist places over your nose. Nitrous oxide helps you relax, alleviating anxiety and distress. Your laughing gas dentist may recommend nitrous oxide if they sense discomfort or anxiety. Laughing gas for kids is commonplace because they’re often anxious, and laughing gas sedation helps them calm down, making them more likely to go for regular dental checkups.
When you receive laughing gas, it displaces the air in your lungs, preventing oxygen flow into your brain and blood. This mild and controlled oxygen deprivation leads to mild hallucinations, often inducing giggles. It doesn’t put you to sleep, so you can still listen to the dentist and respond to their requests. You may also feel some light-headedness and tingling in your arms and legs. Sometimes, laughing gas may also make your legs feel heavy.
Laughing gas works quickly, taking effect as soon as you breathe it in. However, it also loses effect just as quickly, wearing off about two minutes after you stop receiving it. As such, the dentist must supply a steady stream for the entire procedure to maintain the effects of the gas. Since laughing gas is a mild sedative, it is only used for simple and quick dental procedures, such as teeth cleaning.