Does Nitrous Oxide Sedation at the Dentist’s Office Put You to Sleep?

If you need a little help staying calm and comfortable during your next dental appointment, you might benefit from nitrous oxide sedation. However, it’s important to make sure that you have an accurate idea of what you can expect. Some people assume that nitrous oxide will put them to sleep, but is that actually true? Here’s a closer look at the effects of this common form of sedation dentistry.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Sedation Work?

At the beginning of a dental appointment where nitrous oxide sedation is used, your dentist will place a small mask over your nose. This mask will be hooked up to a machine that releases nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen. Once the machine is turned on, you’ll inhale the mixture through the mask. Within a few minutes, you will start to feel significantly more relaxed. You may also experience feelings of euphoria, which can make some patients prone to giggling; this is why nitrous oxide is sometimes referred to as “laughing gas.”

Does Nitrous Oxide Put You to Sleep?

Simply put, the answer is no. Nitrous oxide is not meant to put you to sleep during your treatment. You will remain awake and capable of following your dentist’s instructions or answering any questions they ask you. You might feel somewhat groggy, and there is a chance that you might drift off on your own, but it will be easy to wake you up if this happens.

Nitrous oxide may not put you to sleep, but it can keep you in a state where you’re unbothered by the sights and sounds of the dental office. As such, this form of sedation is often an effective way to keep mild or moderate feelings of dental fear or anxiety under control.

Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation Right for You?

If you’re interested in having nitrous oxide sedation administered during your next dental visit, you should talk to your dentist. They’ll need to perform a careful review of your medical history and your overall health in order to confirm that it’s safe to use nitrous oxide in your case.

If you qualify for nitrous oxide sedation, it can be a great option to consider if:

• You have feelings of dental fear and anxiety that have caused you to skip important appointments in the past.
• You are planning to undergo a particularly lengthy dental treatment.
• You have a gag reflex that’s stronger or more sensitive than normal.

In short, nitrous oxide does not make you fall asleep, but nevertheless, it can go a long way toward helping you enjoy a more positive dental experience overall.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Heil has more than two decades of dental experience. He studied dentistry at the University of Minnesota, and he has completed a General Practice Residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. At Oshkosh Complete Dentistry, he can help anxious patients enjoy a more relaxing visit with nitrous oxide sedation. If you need a reliable dentist who offers sedation dentistry, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Heil by visiting his website or calling (920) 235-0320.