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What is Nitrous Oxide Sedation?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

Nitrous oxide sedation is a form of inhaled sedation that reduces anxiety and relieves pain. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that causes a feeling of euphoria. Nitrous oxide sedation typically uses approximately 30 percent nitrous oxide and 70 percent oxygen. The healthcare provider can adjust the ratio of nitrous oxide to oxygen to control the level of sedation provided.

Within two minutes of sedation, the patient will become lightheaded. A tingling sensation, most often in the arms and legs, is also common. The patient may also experience warmth, a feeling of well-being, or the sense that they are floating. If the patient becomes sleepy, begins crying, becomes giddy, or has trouble speaking, he or she may be over-sedated. Over-sedation can lead to nausea, vomiting, and unpleasant flashbacks.

Nitrous oxide -- often called laughing gas -- can give patients a calming, sometimes euphoric feeling, and is commonly used during dental work.
Nitrous oxide -- often called laughing gas -- can give patients a calming, sometimes euphoric feeling, and is commonly used during dental work.

A benefit of nitrous oxide sedation is that it moves in and out of the body quickly. If a patient receives too much nitrous oxide and feels nauseous, the healthcare provider can decrease the amount of nitrous oxide in the mix or the patient can simply remove the inhalation mask. The ease in which healthcare providers can control levels of sedation, the speed at which the sedating action takes effect and is eliminated from the body make nitrous oxide a popular choice for in-office procedures such as dental cleanings.

A patient becoming sleepy from nitrous oxide may be a sign that they are over-sedated.
A patient becoming sleepy from nitrous oxide may be a sign that they are over-sedated.

The method by which nitrous oxide works on the body is not fully understood, despite the fact that it has been in use since 1772. What is known is that nitrous oxide depresses the senses, including touch, pain, and hearing. It may also lower inhibitions in the parts of the brain that affect emotions. It does not appear to affect memory or concentration.

Over sedation of nitrous oxide can cause nausea and vomiting.
Over sedation of nitrous oxide can cause nausea and vomiting.

Nitrous oxide sedation is very safe for most people. Those with multiple sclerosis and emphysema, along with women in their first trimester of pregnancy, should avoid nitrous oxide. Individuals suffering from colds or others who have trouble breathing through their nose will not be able to use inhalation therapy. The major complication reported with nitrous oxide is over-sedation, which can be quickly remedied and presents no serious health complications.

Discussion Comments

Logicfest

@I think that nitrous oxide works for more than just numbing a patient enough to get an anesthetic shot, but that is because it calms a patient in general. Going to the dentist is downright traumatic for a lot of people because folks tend to be terrified of the experience. Nitrous oxide helps put patients at ease and that may be the true value of it.

By the way, I learned when I was a kid that nitrous oxide makes me gabby. Drives dentists nuts. It won't work very well if you are constantly talking is what I learned.

Soulfox

I have never seen this in use outside of a dentist's office. The dentists I have always used tend to use this primarily to dull the patient a bit before numbing their mouth with a needle because those injections hurt like crazy.

Yes, the nitrous oxide tends to stay on throughout a treatment but it seems to me that it helps with the pain of the numbing shot more than anything else.

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    • Nitrous oxide -- often called laughing gas -- can give patients a calming, sometimes euphoric feeling, and is commonly used during dental work.
      By: diego cervo
      Nitrous oxide -- often called laughing gas -- can give patients a calming, sometimes euphoric feeling, and is commonly used during dental work.
    • A patient becoming sleepy from nitrous oxide may be a sign that they are over-sedated.
      By: Alliance
      A patient becoming sleepy from nitrous oxide may be a sign that they are over-sedated.
    • Over sedation of nitrous oxide can cause nausea and vomiting.
      By: carla9
      Over sedation of nitrous oxide can cause nausea and vomiting.
    • A tingling sensation in the arms and legs is common with nitrous oxide sedation.
      By: Dmitry Lobanov
      A tingling sensation in the arms and legs is common with nitrous oxide sedation.
    • Someone with multiple sclerosis should avoid nitrous oxide.
      By: joshya
      Someone with multiple sclerosis should avoid nitrous oxide.
    • Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should avoid nitrous oxide.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should avoid nitrous oxide.
    • Nitrous oxide sedation is a form of inhaled sedation that reduces anxiety and relieves pain.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Nitrous oxide sedation is a form of inhaled sedation that reduces anxiety and relieves pain.