Is Laughing Gas Safe for Children?

If your child is having a dental procedure, Dr. Habecker may recommend laughing gas as a way to manage pain and keep your child calm.

Laughing gas is one of the most popular forms of sedation dentistry on the market. This is because it produces a calming effect that can help patients of all ages have a comfortable dental experience.

Here’s what you need to know before your child’s next appointment.

What is Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is a form of mild sedation that is inhaled through the nose. It can be used for a range of dental procedures, from teeth cleanings to fillings. However, some procedures will still require local anesthesia to manage pain.

If your child has a history of dental anxiety, laughing gas may be used to help your child relax while receiving dental care.

Fast Recovery

We administer laughing gas via a mask we place over your child’s nose. The laughing gas works quickly to put your child at ease. Likewise, the calming effects wear off almost immediately after we remove the mask.

Unlike other types of sedation dentistry, your child will be able to return to school after their appointment.

Conscious Sedation

Laughing gas is different from sleep dentistry because your child will be awake and aware during the procedure. This means that your child will be able to cooperate if our dentist needs your child to open their mouth wider or tilt their head to access a tooth.

Our dentist has the necessary training and experience to use laughing gas during dental procedures.

Side Effects

There are no side effects, which makes this form of mild sedation perfectly safe for patients of all ages. In fact, adults who are given laughing gas are able to drive themselves home or return to work.

Other types of sedation dentistry (like pill sedation) require you to keep your child home from school and monitor them for the rest of the day for adverse side effects. With laughing gas, you don’t have to worry about any complications.

Reduces Fear and Discomfort

Children with dental anxiety require special care so they can maintain healthy smiles and learn oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.

The more dental anxiety or fear your child feels, the less likely they’ll continue to practice good dental care into adulthood.

We understand that your child’s early years are crucial for forming good impressions, which is why we offer dental sedation. Laughing gas will help your child stay calm while receiving pediatric dental care.

We know from experience that many people fear the dentist because they fear losing control. Since your child will be awake and aware during the procedure, they’ll feel more in control of their treatment.

Request an Appointment With Dr. Habecker

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office. We’re always more than happy to answer any questions you might have about your child’s dental care.

Our family dentist in Holland, MI, knows that going to the dentist can be scary. Laughing gas is a safe way to alleviate dental anxiety in children. To schedule your next appointment with Dr. Habecker, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.

This blog post has been updated.