If you’re afraid of the dentist, you might’ve been pretty content to coast along without scheduling an appointment. But the gap between your last checkup and cleaning and the present is getting wider and wider, and you know arranging an appointment is best for your oral health. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “if only I could just be mildly sedated, that would make my experience much easier.”
Sedation dentistry is offered with patients like you in mind. Options such as laughing gas are great for promoting comfort and calm, but some worry about their safety. Fortunately, that’s not something you have to be concerned about! Here are three reasons why.
#1. Nitrous Oxide is A Mild Combination
Laughing gas, a.k.a. nitrous oxide sedation, is inherently a rather mild chemical combination. Nitrous oxide and oxygen create a non-addictive, non-allergic gas that provides analgesia. In other words, you’ll still be conscious and able to respond to your dentist, but external stimulation will seem dull, pain will be muted or non-existent, and your tense muscles will relax. Even children can receive laughing gas, and the effects are so tame that most patients are able to drive themselves home!
#2. There Are Abundant Safety Measures
It’s true that many chemicals need to be administered in proper ratios to be safe, and nitrous oxide is no different in that regard. However, the machine that pumps the gas has an abundant amount of safety features to ensure the gas stays at 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxide. If oxygen levels dip below 30%, for example, the fail-safe system will be automatically triggered to shut off the gas and switch to delivering the ambient, nitrous-free office air.
#3. Laughing Gas has Official Approval
Both the ADA (American Dental Association) and FDA approve of the use of laughing gas in dentistry and agree that it is a safe and effective method of sedation. U.S. dentists have been using it since the 1860’s – which means plenty of research verifies its safety. Medical professionals generally agree that laughing gas is simple to deliver and a great option for patients who struggle with dental anxiety or are uncomfortable while sitting still.
If you’ve been putting off your next checkup and cleaning for one reason or another, it’s absolutely worth talking to your dentist about nitrous oxide sedation. This could very well be a life-changing accommodation, so don’t hesitate to call them and ask for more details!
About the Dentist
Dr. Sean M. Altenbach earned his dental degree from the University of Florida and is certified by the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. He’s been voted a “topDentist” in Jacksonville Magazine multiple times for his skills, but his patient care is top-notch as well! Dr. Altenbach wants you to be comfortable during your treatment and to help make your experience a positive one in any way that he can. If you think laughing gas would be a helpful solution, he’d be happy to discuss the option with you. To contact Dr. Altenbach’s office, call 904-448-0441.