The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation as a safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety, produce analgesia, and enhance effective communication between your child and your dentist. 

Nitrous oxide is a gas that is mixed with oxygen for the child to breathe in and creates a mild sedative effect. The nitrous oxide relaxes the child without putting them to sleep. The child may feel a little lightheaded, tingly or experience a floating sensation. The nitrous oxide is also called “laughing gas” due to the relaxed, giggly feeling many people get from the gas, and is the least invasive type of sedation used by pediatric dentists. It is easily titrated or adjusted, depending on how a child responds to the gas. Additionally, it wears off within minutes after turned off and leaves no residual effects so your child is able to resume their normal activities immediately.