Prior to Appointment

• Please inform us of any changes in your child’s health and/or medical condition.
• Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. This may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
•  Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.  This includes prescribed over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

What you should know

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen, and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask that is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this method as a very safe and effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, effective, and quickly eliminated from the body with normal breathing. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is non-addictive and your child remains fully conscious and keeps all of his/her natural reflexes.