Laughing Gas Sedation FAQ

Have questions about laughing gas? You’ve come to the right place! Dr. Michael Gasko is proud to serve as a dentist in South Bend, IN. He’d also be more than happy to answer any questions you have about laughing gas sedation during your next appointment.

daughter with her mom in car

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about laughing gas sedation.

What Is Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is a mild form of dental sedation that helps you feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair. This allows you to get the care you need, especially if you have dental fear or anxiety.

Is Laughing Gas Safe for Children?

Laughing gas is safe for both children and adults. Compared to other types of sedation dentistry, it also wears off quickly. This means that your child will be able to return to school or otherwise resume their normal activities after their appointment with us. This is different from heavier forms of sedation, which would require you to monitor your child as the sedation wears off.

To learn more, be sure to check out our blog post about pediatric laughing gas.

What Can I Expect During My Appointment?

When you’re ready to receive the laughing gas sedation, we’ll place a small mask over your nose. This mask provides the laughing gas, which you’ll breathe in during the procedure. Since dental laughing gas is fast to act, you should notice yourself starting to feel calmer right away.

Some patients may experience a sense of giddiness, which is where “laughing gas” gets its name. However, it’s important to remember that each patient is different.

Will I Be Asleep During the Procedure?

No, dental laughing gas doesn’t put you to sleep. You’ll remain awake and able to hear and respond to any requests or directions our dentist may have. The gas simply helps you feel more relaxed and less aware of the procedure without causing sleep.

Will I Experience Any Side Effects?

When laughing gas is administered properly, the patient should experience no side effects. Once we remove the laughing gas, we may give you 100% oxygen to help flush out any remaining sedative in your system. Once we remove the nasal mask, the laughing gas should start to wear off within a matter of seconds.

Can I Drive Myself Home After My Appointment?

Yes, you’ll be able to drive yourself home after your appointment at Select Dental Associates. Laughing gas is fast to take effect and fast to wear off. In fact, you won’t feel any lingering effects of laughing gas sedation as soon as we remove the mask over your nose.

How Quickly Can I Return to Normal Activities?

Almost immediately. The effects of laughing gas sedation wear off within a few minutes after the gas supply is stopped, allowing patients to drive themselves home and continue with their day without any lasting effects.

When Can I Request Laughing Gas?

You can request laughing gas whenever you feel like you need it. Whether you’re scheduled for a root canal or a teeth cleaning, laughing gas can help you feel more comfortable in the dentist’s chair while you’re getting the treatment you need.

Our dental office in South Bend, IN, is a no-judgment zone. We pride ourselves on tailoring care plans to meet your specific needs. This means that we will always take any dental anxiety into consideration when planning out your treatment.

Book an Appointment With Dr. Gasko

Our dentist in South Bend, IN, is accepting new patients and would be more than happy to answer your questions about laughing gas sedation during your next visit. To schedule an appointment, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 213-7478. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.