Everything You Should Know About Laughing Gas

July 26, 2023

  

Fear and anxiety behind dental procedures can be a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. By avoiding simple procedures like cleanings you can allow minor problems to develop into big ones like tooth loss or even oral cancer. Fortunately, there’s a wonder drug that can help patients to relax and at least unclench their mouth. It’s laughing gas. But how is this innocent-sounding anesthetic capable of eradicating the pain of someone literally yanking the teeth out of your mouth? And could it really be the solution to your crippling fear of dental work? Let’s find out right now.

What’s in Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is also known by the chemical name of N20 or nitrous oxide, neither of which, to be honest, are nearly as catchy. This innocuous little chemical was first discovered by the English scientist, Joseph Priestly, way back in 1793 and is still commonly used in medical procedures over 200 years later.

It’s colorless, odorless, and overall surprisingly nondescript for a chemical with such a name. Still, its effects are quite groovy.

Breathing in nitrous oxide has a profoundly calming effect on the mind and body, giving anxious patients a relaxing and euphoric feeling that can result in giddiness and laughing fits. Hence, the name - laughing gas.

These powerful feelings of tranquility and euphoria coupled with the drug’s fast-acting nature make it an effective and reliable sedative for dental work. Even the most terrified and worrisome patients can find themselves laughing at their own cowardice just moments after taking a dose of N20.

Since it’s a gas, nitrous oxide is administered primarily through inhalation, typically through a mast that sits on a patient’s nose. As a patient continues to breathe normally, the gas finds its way into lungs and from there into the bloodstream. Shortly after, a patient will experience a floaty feeling and may feel some tingling in the tips of their fingers and toes, a sign that the sedative is working as intended.

Effectiveness

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Despite its pain killing properties, laughing gas cannot be considered 100% effective, which may be a point of concern for fearful patients. But don’t panic. Your doctor is always aware of possible limitations of the medications they use. So, should they decide laughing gas alone isn’t enough for a safe and hassle-free procedure, they’ll most likely pair laughing gas with a local anesthetic to numb a treated area.

Potential Side Effects

Lots of people are convinced that a drug this cool is just bound to have a whole host of side effects. But it’s just one of the most common dental myths. Of course, as with any medication, some people may occasionally experience fever, whizzing, and hives. But these potential adverse effects are quite rare. And the vast majority of patients don’t report any of them.

It is, however, possible to overdose on laughing gas, and that is no laughing matter. Too much of it at once can result in seizures, choking, psychosis, cardiac arrest, and more. Still, it’s worth noting that to OD on N20 requires way more gas than your local dentist should be using. The nitrous oxide your doctor will give you is mixed with oxygen and balanced to levels that are safe to the human body. So, compared to most sedatives and medications, nitrous oxide is remarkably chill.

Is it Safe for Children?

You may be pleased to learn that laughing gas is actually a preferred method of sedation for children. As has been noted earlier, its effects aren’t that serious and wear off rather quickly. So, there’s no danger involved.

Contraindications

The only people who should refrain from using this type of anesthesia are those with respiratory problems like emphysema, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis. But that’s just common sense. If you have trouble breathing in oxygen, you probably shouldn’t breathe in any form of gas.
If laughing gas isn’t an option for you, inquire about possible alternatives at your local dentist office.

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that laughing gas is one of the biggest contributions to simplification of dental procedures. It helps dentists to bring their patients from a place of pain, fear, and anxiety to a much happier place where they can relax and let dental professionals do their job.

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