This article begins with a brief exploration of the history of Nitrous Oxide sedation and then continues to discuss its importance to modern dental science.

Sedation Dentistry in Encinitas: The Discovery of ‘Laughing Gas’

Sedation dentistry in Encinitas essentially enables patients who suffer from anxiety and stress associated with the dentist’s chair to receive or undergo the full suite of treatments and procedures they need in order to maintain a high standard of oral health and hygiene. ‘Sedation’ itself refers to the dream-like state of detachment and utter relaxation that follows the administering of special medications designed to affect the central nervous system. Now, one of the main techniques used in sedation dentistry in Encinitas is the breathing of Nitrous Oxide gas, better known as ‘laughing gas’ owing to the affect it has upon the demeanor of those who inhale it. In fact, Nitrous Oxide was the very first anesthetic ever discovered and in 1864 a Hartford dentist, Horace Wells, was recognized by the American Dental Association to be the pioneer of using the gas as a sedative and anesthetic during surgical procedures performed in the dentist’s chair. Nowadays, so popular and effective is Nitrous Oxide that an approximate 45 million people undergo a variety of medical procedures, treatments or surgeries whilst under the effects of it so as to quell the fears and dull the pain!

Sedation Dentistry in Encinitas: About Nitrous Oxide

If you are wondering about the existence of any fine print, such as “may cause painful death if inhaled on more than three occasions in any ten year period” then don’t. Sedation dentistry in Encinitas is a highly safe and successful field, which has proved over and over again to be incredibly effective. The gas itself is slightly sweet-smelling and completely inoffensive to the nostrils (so you won’t burst into a fit of allergic sneezing). It’s colorless and you can breathe it quite easily… actually sedation dentistry in Encinitas usually administers a mixture of between 50% and 70% Oxygen with 30% Nitrous Oxide. One important feature of using this gas in sedation dentistry in Encinitas is that it enables the patient to breathe completely independently during the course of a procedure or surgery. In this respect, breathing ‘laughing gas’ is like being in a state of deep relaxation; where you are mildly aware of what’s going on around you and have full control of all your body’s vital functions, but have no recollection of it afterwards. Furthermore, you feel no pain, no anxiety and no stress.

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry in Encinitas With Nitrous Oxide Gas

From this discussion of Nitrous Oxide, it shouldn’t take much imagination to understand why this gas has become so integral to sedation dentistry in Encinitas and the entire greater field of medicine! Not only can you receive the treatments you need to make a faster recovery, but because you don’t feel pain and anxiety, the dentist can complete a procedure from start to finish without the need to divide it into shorter sessions for you to cope with. Using Nitrous Oxide gas in sedation dentistry in Encinitas, the dentist can carefully monitor and control your level of sedation without symptoms or side-effects like a ‘hangover’ or gagging.