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Nitrous Oxide for Easing Dental Anxiety
Visits to the dentist have the potential to trigger high levels of anxiety for some people. Dental fears and anxieties are particularly common among children. If you or your child struggles with dental fears, it may be good to know there are options available to help ease the stress of your upcoming visit.
One of these options is the use of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective method of sedating a patient, which helps them to relax during a dental procedure. Here are some common questions and answers about nitrous oxide to help you better understand its use and determine if it is a good option for you or your loved one at your next dental visit:
How does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Often known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a sedative agent mixed with oxygen that is inhaled through a small mask that fits over the patient’s nose. As you inhale through your nose with normal breathing, within a few short minutes you will start to feel its effects.
What Does Nitrous Oxide Feel Like?
When in effect, nitrous oxide causes the patient to feel calm and comfortable as it creates a light-headedness or tingling within the body. Some people say that it makes their arms and legs feel heavy.
Will I Be Conscious While Using Nitrous Oxide?
The use of nitrous oxide does not cause a patient to lose consciousness or fall asleep. In fact, during use a patient can still hear and respond to any requests or directions from the dentist. The benefits, however, are that the patient is able to relax and remain calm during a procedure that under normal circumstances may cause them to be anxious.
How Long Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
The effects of nitrous oxide remain as long as the mask is on and the patient is breathing in the gas. As soon as the mask is removed, the effects of nitrous oxide begin to wear off. Within a few minutes of removing the mask, all effects are gone and the patient recovers all senses as normal.
We at Cooper Family Dentistry are here to help you have the best possible experience at our office so that you can receive the best dental care possible. If you think that the use of nitrous oxide is a good option for overcoming the barrier of dental anxiety for you or your child, we would love to talk with you about its use at your next visit. Call our Jacksonville Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
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Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.