Dental Nitrous Oxide For Children In Lake Stevens, WA
Gentle sedation with nitrous oxide — what we call funny air —is one of the most reliable and practical ways to help your child relax during their visit!
Why Is Dental Nitrous Oxide Administered?
There are many reasons why we may recommend funny air. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that nitrous oxide sedation in pediatric dentistry is ideal for reducing uncomfortable feelings. Funny air can even help enhance effective communication during the visit!
Certain patients may benefit from receiving funny gas, including:
- Patients with shorter attention spans
- Patients who have trouble sitting still
- Patients with special health care needs
- Patients who feel nervous about treatment
How To Prepare Your Child For Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Generally, patients receiving funny air won’t need to make too many lifestyle changes before their procedure. For example, your child won’t need to restrict their diet or refrain from any activity before the appointment.
Here’s how you can prepare your child for treatment:
- Make sure your child wears comfortable, loose clothing.
- Prior to your appointment, make sure your child is in their best health. Infections or colds can negatively affect our results.
- Prepare a light meal for your child before the meal about two hours before the procedure.
- Your child will be a little out of it after their appointment, so make sure you monitor them as the medication wears off.
Administering Nitrous Oxide & Monitoring Your Child
We will administer the funny air to your child right before their procedure begins. We use a small fitted mask that fits comfortably over your child’s nose. After about five minutes, your child will experience the relaxing effects of funny air.
How Long Do The Effects Of Dental Nitrous Oxide Last?
After the procedure is over, your child may return to school or daycare. Some kids may need to limit their food intake afterward, but this has more to do with the accompanying procedure and not as a side effect of the funny air.
Once your child begins breathing oxygen, the effects of the nitrous oxide will vanish! Following their sedation, we will briefly monitor them.
What Else Should I Know About Dental Nitrous Oxide?
Funny air has many benefits. In addition to being fast-acting, it is quick to wear off so your child can go back to their usual routine after their appointment. Funny air provides an enhanced state of wellbeing, allowing your child to cooperate with our dentists fully!
Funny air is generally safe for children (and adults!) While some people can feel mildly adverse side effects, these are typically reversible. Severe effects are usually the result of misuse of funny air.
Children with big feelings may need more intervention than funny air. If that’s the case, we have many options for helping these children enjoy a productive appointment.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation For Special Needs Children
At Milestone Kids Dentistry, we specialize in helping kids with special needs. Funny air allows kids with special needs to feel relaxed during their appointments. This soothes your kiddo as they experience the bright lights and new noises of dentist visits.
Learn more about how we give your little one the safest and most relaxed experience possible with behavior management tools.
Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation Right For Your Child?
Every child has different needs! We will only suggest using funny air if we believe your child will absolutely benefit. Whether we recommend funny air, conscious sedation, general anesthesia — or no sedation at all — we will put your kiddo’s safety and health first.
Want to learn more about our approach to pediatric nitrous oxide? Contact us today!
