Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide

Laughing gas is the gentlest way to help a nervous child relax in the chair. It works within minutes, keeps your child awake and chatting, and wears off almost as fast, so they can often head right back to their day.

All Pediatric Dentistry

What Is Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)?

Nitrous oxide is a safe, mild sedative your child breathes in through a small, sweet-smelling nose mask. Within minutes it brings a light, floaty calm that takes the edge off nervousness, while your child stays fully awake and able to talk with us.

Most kids describe a relaxed, tingly, or giggly feeling, hence the nickname. It also softens the gag reflex and helps time pass quickly, which makes it the most common form of sedation dentistry for children.

Gentle and fast-acting

A few breaths of a sweet-smelling gas and the nervousness eases away.

Awake the whole time

Your child stays awake and able to talk with us, just calm and comfortable.

Wears off in minutes

A little pure oxygen and they're back to themselves, often the same day.

A small nasal mask delivering gentle laughing gas

How a Laughing-Gas Visit Goes

It's quick and completely undramatic. Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

Settle in

Your child gets comfy and we rest the little nose mask in place.

Breathe & relax

They breathe the sweet-smelling gas and a calm, floaty feeling sets in within minutes.

Gentle treatment

We do the cleaning or filling while your child stays relaxed and awake.

Back to normal

The mask comes off, they breathe pure oxygen, and the effects clear almost completely.

A light meal helps

A small snack beforehand (rather than a big meal) helps your child avoid any mild nausea. We'll send exact instructions when we schedule.

Is Laughing Gas Safe for Children?

Yes. Nitrous oxide has been used safely in pediatric dentistry for decades. We carefully control the dose the entire time, mix it with oxygen, and your child breathes normally throughout. We review your child's health history first to make sure it's a good fit.

Who It's For, and When We Suggest More

Laughing gas is a great fit for mild to moderate nervousness, a sensitive gag reflex, or a child who just needs a little help settling in. Some children, though, need more support for longer or more involved treatment. In those cases we may recommend oral sedation, sleep dentistry, or general anesthesia. We'll always start with the gentlest option that gets your child great care.

We'll always start with the gentlest option that lets your child get the care they need, comfortably.

Common questions

Will my child be asleep with laughing gas?

No. Nitrous oxide keeps your child awake and able to respond; it simply helps them feel relaxed and calm. For treatment that requires sleep, we offer other sedation options.

Can my child eat before a nitrous oxide appointment?

A light meal is usually fine, but we recommend keeping it small beforehand to avoid any nausea. We'll give you specific instructions when we schedule the visit.

Are there side effects?

Side effects are rare and mild. Occasionally a child feels slightly nauseated, which is why we suggest a light meal first. Because the gas wears off in minutes, lingering effects are very uncommon.

At what age can a child use laughing gas?

Nitrous oxide can be used for many young children, as long as they can breathe comfortably through the nose mask. We'll let you know if it's a good fit at your child's visit.

Where to go next

Oral Sedation Relaxing medicine taken by mouth.

Sleep Dentistry Sleep comfortably through care.

General Anesthesia Fully asleep for complex treatment.

Your Child's First Visit What to expect, start to finish.

Need to be seen?

Call your office first — most pediatric dentistry are seen the same day.

Schedule an appointment

All Pediatric Dentistry · Dentistry & Orthodontics