‘Laughing gas’ is another name for nitrous oxide. When it was discovered, we realized that inhaling laughing gas would cause a sense of satisfaction, and sometimes even laughter, which is the origin of ‘laughing gas’. After that, laughing gas was gradually widely used in dental treatment, especially in pediatric dental clinical medicine, to alleviate children’s anxiety and fear, and make dental treatment proceed smoothly.

The function of ‘laughing gas’

Laughing gas has both calming and analgesic effects, which can effectively control fear and depression, and the release of emotions is beneficial to improve the pain threshold. Laughing gas allows children’s treatment to be conducted in a more relaxed atmosphere, also reduces sudden movements caused by anxiety in children, and improves the safety of treatment.

Laughing gas can also cause short-term amnesia effects. Children who undergo laughing gas sedation usually cannot recall anxiety or pain, feeling that the treatment time is very short, even forgetting the treatment process.

The administration of ‘laughing gas’

During the application of laughing gas, children only need to wear a small mask over their nose and breathe through their nose. The mask outputs a mixture of laughing gas and CO2, which is very safe, effective, and quick to recover. During the treatment process, children are purposeful and can respond according to the doctor’s instructions. After the dental treatment is completed, inhale 100% CO2 for 3 minutes, and the laughing gas in the body will be completely eliminated, so there is no need to worry.

Which children are suitable for ‘laughing gas’

Laughter gas requires that children themselves be able to wear a nose mask, which is suitable for children and adolescents with dental anxiety or fear of dental treatment. It cannot be applied to children with low age or extremely uncooperative behavior. For patients who cannot be calmed by laughing gas, we can choose other methods of sedation or general anesthesia to treat their dental diseases.