Dubai, UAE -Every parent wishes for their child’s entire dental procedure experience to be more comfortable. Pediatric dentists use various methods to make treatment easy for kids. One of the most common and safest sedation options in pediatric dentistry is the use of nitrous oxide.

What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly known as happy gas or laughing gas, has earned its name for the elevated mood it can cause. It is one of the least invasive and mildest sedation methods used by dentists during dental treatments. It is easy to give the right amount of gas and adjust it according to every patient’s needs. Children usually recover quickly from the effects of the gas after treatment within 2-3 minutes.

Nitrous oxide sedation is very safe and many considerations go into choosing this option for your child. . Your dentist may also suggest your child have a light meal, such as soup or toast two hours before the procedure – and nothing to drink or eat until after the procedure. Speak to your pediatric dentist to determine the best choice for your child.

Nitrous oxide
The nitrous oxide sedation is given in the dental chair through a small nosepiece through which your child will breathe the gas. Though the nitrous oxide will make your child feel relaxed , they will still be awake throughout the procedure. They may feel dreamy, floaty, and forgetful, and may not be able to remember the procedure afterward. The staff will ensure your child can cooperate and follow verbal instructions and there will be constant monitoring of the level of sedation

After the dental procedure following sedation, your child will be given 100% oxygen for a few minutes up to 5 minutes to ensure full recovery. Children recover quickly from the effects of nitrous oxide - some children may experience fatigue after , nausea, vomiting. These side effects are mild and lift quickly minutes after the gas is turned off. If your child vomits or feels sick, hydrate them with water or clear liquids such as diluted fruit juice or clear soup if they refuse to drink water. Contact your dentist if you notice any of these or other side effects.

“Children and adults undergoing certain dental procedures can greatly benefit from nitrous oxide sedation. It is important to get the dental procedure done by an experienced and certified dentist to rest assured your child is in safe hands” says Dr. Yasmin Kottait, the best dentist for kids in Dubai

Aftercare at home
Feed your child soft foods and make sure they eat carefully without biting their tongue or cheeks. If your child has been prescribed any medication, help them take it. Most importantly, schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist.

It’s a good idea to discuss the procedure from start to end with your dentist and get all the necessary information that you need.

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.