Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, has been used routinely in dental offices since 1863. It’s a safe, effective sedation option for dental patients seeking a way to control feeling overly anxious about their treatments.
Nearly 75% of American adults experience mild to severe dental anxiety. Causes for dental fears are varied, and may include:
- Previous painful experiences at the dentist’s office
- Dealing with general anxiety, mood, or posttraumatic stress disorders
- Feeling out of control or helpless
- Having low pain threshold or fear of pain
- Embarrassment about the look of teeth
- Phobic about needles and/or anxious about drills
- Sensitive gag reflex
If you do suffer fear or anxiety about dentistry, the good news is that most dentists offer sedation dentistry. One of the most common forms of sedation is nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas. Continue reading Hey, Dentists! Make ‘Em Laugh!