What is Laughing Gas? Morgan Hill, CA

• Nitrous oxide works very rapidly – it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. The relaxation and pain-killing properties develop after 2 or 3 minutes.
• The depth of sedation can be altered from moment to moment, allowing Dr. Huang to increase or decrease the depth of sedation.
• Nitrous oxide can be given for the exact time span it is needed and no more. It can be switched off when not needed and then switched on again.
• There’s no “hangover” effect – the gas is eliminated from the body within 3 to 5 minutes after the gas supply is stopped. Patients can safely drive home and don’t need an escort.
• With nitrous oxide, it’s easy to give incremental doses until the desired action is obtained. So Dr. Huang has virtually absolute control over the action of the drug, preventing the possibility of accidental overdoses.
• For certain procedures – those involving gums rather than teeth (e. g. deep cleaning) – it may be possible to use nitrous instead of local anesthesia. N₂O acts as a painkiller on soft tissues such as gums. However, its pain-relieving effects vary from person to person and can’t be relied upon.
• No injection is required. In case of slight needle phobia, nitrous oxide may help overcome that fear temporarily.
• Inhalation sedation is very safe. It has very few side effects and the drugs used have no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.
• Inhalation sedation has been found to be very effective in eliminating or at least minimizing severe gagging.

• Some people are not comfortable with the effects of laughing gas. Some are afraid that they might lose control. Others may feel nauseous. If you’re prone to nausea, it’s a good idea to have a light meal about 4 hours before your appointment. If that’s not possible, make sure your stomach isn’t completely empty, but don’t indulge in a large meal beforehand either.
• Some people will not achieve adequate sedation with permissible levels of nitrous oxide.
• If you can’t breathe through your nose either because you’re a pure mouth breather or your nose is blocked, or you feel too claustrophobic when something is put over your nose, it is not an appropriate option.

There are not any major factors that would prohibit a patient from receiving nitrous except for patients with multiple sclerosis, emphysema, and some exotic chest problems.

It hasn’t been proven to be safe during the first trimester of pregnancy, so we don’t recommend the usage.