Nitrous Oxide commonly known as “Laughing Gas” is a sweet smelling gas which when combined with oxygen helps patients to feel more at ease during dental procedures. Without a needle, both kids and adults can experience a relaxing option for their dental care. Laughing gas is inhaled through a small mask placed over a person’s nose. The effects quickly wear off in 2-3 minutes after the gas leaves your body through breathing natural air.
Laughing Gas (termed as Conscious Sedation or Anxiolysis) has been used since more than five decades for alleviating pain and anxiety. Patients remain alert, awake, and can talk to dentists and staff during their treatment. The effect of the gas wears out within 2-3 minutes after the gas is stopped. Nitrous Oxide is also non-addictive and non-allergic.
Below is a list of interesting facts about Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
·
Bacteria
in oceans and soil emit Nitrous Oxide.
·
If
you are having Nitrous Oxide you may not want to have a big meal before you
head to the dentist. A big meal combined with Nitrous Oxide may result in
nausea. However, your stomach shouldn’t be empty either, a small meal hours
before your appointment is best.
·
It
was not originally intended for medical purposes. Instead, it was used in
social settings for entertainment in the years 1800-1844.
·
Laughing
Gas parties with Nitrous Oxide were all the rage for the British upper class in
the late 1700s.
·
Many
dentists offer scented Nitrous Oxide to their patients, which may include
strawberry, vanilla, mint, or other scents to choose from.
·
Most
people usually experience five stages of sedation: light-headedness, a tingling
sensation in the arms and legs, a warm feeling, a feeling of euphoria, and then
a sleepy feeling.
·
Nitrous
Oxide can be used by women in childbirth, and is being used more and more often
in hospitals and birthing centers. It doesn’t get rid of the pain, but it does
take the edge off a bit. Many women like it because it can be used at any time
during labor, there are no serious side effects, it doesn’t require an IV or
catheter, and they can still move around during labor.
·
Nitrous
Oxide is cheaper than IV sedation.
·
Nitrous
Oxide is used in racing to make the engine more powerful, and also as an
oxidizer in rocket motors.
·
Nitrous
Oxide is used in the food industry as well. It helps to give aerosol whipped
cream volume. It is used in cooking spray as a propellant. It is used in bags
of potato chips so the bags are puffy, which prevents your chips from being
crushed.
·
Nitrous
Oxide that is used at the dentist is usually a mixture of 70% oxygen and 30%
Nitrous oxide. For medical uses, the mixture is often 50/50.
·
Nitrous
Oxide was discovered in 1772 by an English scientist, Joseph Priestley.
·
Nitrous
Oxide wasn’t used to relieve pain until 1844. It wasn’t widely used
by dentists until the 1860s.
·
No
one is allergic to Nitrous Oxide. It is safe for those who have diabetes,
epilepsy, liver, heart, or cerebrovascular disease, although if you have a
respiratory disease you should discuss that with your dentist.
·
Not
everyone actually laughs because of laughing gas. Some people just get sleepy.
The name comes from the feeling of euphoria it inspires!
“Do you, good
people, believe that Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden and that
they were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge? I do. The church has
always been afraid of that tree. It still is afraid of knowledge. Some of you
say religion makes people happy. So does laughing gas. So does whiskey. I
believe in the brain of man.” (Clarence Darrow) [i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“17 Things that May Surprise You about Nitrous Oxide” by Mark C.
Marchbanks
·
“5 Fun Facts about Laughing Gas To get Rid Of Dental
Anxiety” Dentician
·
“Facts about Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)” by Town
and Country Family
No comments:
Post a Comment