Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) for Kids in Christiansburg, VA

Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small, soft mask that fits over the nose. Many masks come in fun scents. As your child breathes normally, the gas creates a relaxed, floaty or tingly feeling. Children stay awake, can talk and can respond to instructions the whole time. It also helps some children with a strong gag reflex.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes nitrous oxide as a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety in children during dental treatment.

Nitrous oxide can help children who:

• Feel nervous or fearful about dental visits.
• Need a longer appointment or several fillings.
• Have a strong gag reflex.
• Have special health care needs that make treatment harder.

It is less effective when a child cannot breathe comfortably through the nose, for example with a bad cold, and it may not be right for children with certain medical conditions. Please tell us about your child's health history and any medicines before the visit. For deeper relaxation, we can discuss other types of sedation.

• Before: fasting is usually not needed for nitrous oxide alone, but give your child only a light meal in the two hours before the visit to lower the chance of an upset stomach.
• During: your child breathes through the nose mask while the dental team works and checks on them throughout the procedure.
• After: your child breathes pure oxygen for a few minutes to clear the gas. Most children feel back to normal shortly afterward.

Mild side effects such as nausea or a headache are uncommon and usually brief. See our guide to sedation safety, preparation and recovery for more tips.

Nitrous oxide is often combined with local anesthetic for treatments such as tooth-colored fillings and crowns. Calm children are more comfortable, and treatment usually goes more smoothly. Our team also uses kid-friendly explanations, distraction and lots of encouragement to help every child feel at ease.

Children often describe laughing gas as feeling warm, floaty, tingly or a little silly. Some giggle, and many simply feel calm. The dental team adjusts the amount to keep your child comfortable and can turn it down if your child feels too light-headed. Explaining this ahead of time in simple words, such as "you will smell something fun and feel relaxed," helps children know what to expect.

Nitrous oxide works alongside, not instead of, other comfort measures. The tooth is still numbed with local anesthetic when needed, and our team uses tell-show-do explanations, distraction and praise. For children who need deeper relaxation, or who cannot use a nose mask, the dentist may discuss oral or IV sedation instead.

Laughing gas is not recommended for every child. Children who cannot breathe comfortably through the nose, or who will not keep the mask on, may not get much benefit. Some medical conditions also call for caution, so we review your child's health history before every sedation visit. In those cases, the dentist will talk with you about other ways to help your child feel comfortable, such as oral sedation or scheduling treatment in a different setting.

Blacksburg families are about 15 minutes from our office along US-460. Because nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, your child can usually head back to school or activities after the visit, which makes it easy to fit appointments into a busy week.

From Radford, our office is about 20 minutes away, and families from Dublin and Pulaski usually drive 25 to 35 minutes on I-81. Unlike deeper sedation, laughing gas does not require a long recovery at the office or a second adult for the drive home, which keeps the visit simple for families traveling from Pulaski County.

Families from Roanoke City and Roanoke County drive about 40 to 50 minutes up I-81 to see us. If your child has a stuffy nose or a cold on the day of the visit, call us before you leave, since nitrous oxide is most effective when your child can breathe comfortably through the nose.