Our Services / Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide services offered in Denver, CO

For kids with dental anxiety, finding a way to get the care they need without undue stress is a top priority for Leslie Murray, DMD, and the team at Iris Pediatric Dentistry. Parents in and around Denver, Colorado, have access to safe, professionally administered nitrous oxide in-office, which can go a long way toward making dental visits easier to manage. Book an appointment online or by phone today to learn more.

Nitrous Oxide Q & A

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas used as a mild sedative in pediatric dentistry. Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide helps kids relax during their treatments, reducing dental anxiety and helping them get the care they need.

Kids who receive nitrous oxide will remain awake during treatment, but they will be more relaxed and have a reduced gag reflex when working on back teeth. We explain to kids that they will feel floaty, giggly or like they are walking on clouds. Dr. Murray can adjust the gas to be more or less depending on how relaxed your child is feeling, and nitrous oxide is always mixed with 100% oxygen.

When is nitrous oxide used in pediatric dentistry?

Nitrous oxide is an option, never a necessity, but often helps for treatment that requires an injection or longer procedure. It’s an outstanding approach for kids who have extreme dental anxiety, have a sensitive gag reflex or those who are too young to understand the steps in their treatment process.

Sometimes used on its own, but most often used in combination with numbing medication, this allows fillings, crowns and extractions to be completed with less anxiety and more comfort.

Dr. Murray also utilizes kids movies for distraction mounted above the chair for optimal viewing during treatment. Paired with a sugar-free popsicle to dash away yucky tastes, kids report that treatment visits are fun and easy!

What happens when a child receives nitrous oxide?

Before moving forward with treatment, Dr. Murray discusses your child’s health history to ensure nitrous oxide is a good option.

She always lets kids see and smell the mask before turning on the laughing gas. Almost all kids smile when they smell the strawberry or orange flavored nose mask, and Dr. Murray lets them relax for a few minutes while they pick a kid’s movie to watch during treatment.

One of the things that makes nitrous oxide such a popular option is the fact that the effects wear off very quickly. After treatment, all children get at least 5 minutes of 100% oxygen to ensure that the nitrous has been exhaled from their system. Your child’s face may still feel numb if numbing medication was also used, but the relaxation effects of the nitrous oxide will be gone after the mask is removed. Kids can return to school and eat after nitrous oxide.

If your child needs deeper sedation to get through dental treatments, other options are available. Dr. Murray works with the team of pediatric anesthesiologists at Children’s Hospital Colorado to help kids rest comfortably throughout dental treatment.

To learn more, schedule an appointment online today. You’re also welcome to call and speak with a member of the administrative staff regarding appointment availability.