Happy gas, more commonly referred to as laughing gas or nitrous oxide gas, is a non-flammable gas that’s often used in dentistry to help patients. You’ve likely experienced the slightly sweet odour of happy gas if you’ve been in for a serious dentist appointment. At Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, we use laughing gas to help relieve anxiety for children during regular dental procedures — it’s an entirely safe and cost-effective way to do so.
Key Takeaways
- Happy gas, also called nitrous oxide, is administered to patients who are experiencing anxiety during dental procedures.
- Nitrous oxide causes feelings of euphoria, giddiness, numbness, and blurry vision.
- Happy gas is commonly used in dental practices as a non-invasive sedative for adults and children.
What is Happy Gas Exactly?
Happy gas is more commonly known by its chemical compound formula N₂O (dinitrogen monoxide). Patients who have experienced nitrous oxide dentistry note that it’s a colourless gas that has a slightly sweet aroma. Once inhaled, the nitrous oxide acts on the central nervous system and stimulates the release of norepinephrine.
It’s because of this that happy gas can be used as a sedative that relieves anxiety for patients. The effect is usually short-lived, wearing off in around 5 to 10 minutes. We like to thoroughly explain the use of nitrous oxide practice because parents may be wary of using nitrous oxide sedation for their children.
What are the Effects of Happy Gas?
Happy gas is a euphoria-inducing chemical that also reduces pain, which can result in many different (sometimes silly) symptoms:
- Intense happiness
- Numbness
- Sleepiness or relaxation
- Uncontrolled laughter
- Blurry vision
- Confusion or dizziness
- Sweating or fatigue
What are the Side Effects of Happy Gas?
While the effects of nitrous oxide are safe and effective when used for dental treatment, it can have a few side effects in the short term. Headaches, nausea, distortions of sound, and hallucinations are occasionally reported but tend to wear off fairly quickly.
How does Happy Gas Help Anxious Patients?
A nitrous oxide dental practice like Brisbane Paediatric Dentist will use happy gas to sedate patients, relieving them of pain anxiety throughout the procedure. This not only helps the patient cope with any potential fears or dental anxiety surrounding their procedure, but also helps dentists work more efficiently. A dentist with gas will be able to work better and quicker if you’re under the effects of nitrous oxide and oxygen.
Reduces Anxiety
When you intake laughing gas or happy gas, you’ll be able to feel the effects within minutes of inhalation. Anxiety and discomfort washes away as the nitrous oxide targets the neurotransmitters in your brain.
Creates Euphoria
There’s a reason why nitrous oxide is more commonly known as laughing gas – it’s not uncommon for patients who receive nitrous oxide to burst out laughing or giggling. Since the happy gas targets the brain’s neural pathways, it releases dopamine, which is associated with feelings of happiness and euphoria. This dopamine releases quickly, potentially even seconds, which makes it useful for medical and dental procedures.
Reduces Pain
In addition to reducing anxiety and creating euphoria, nitrous will help you relax during procedures because you may not feel a thing. Pain and anxiety during dental procedures are dulled as the nitrous oxide stimulates the brain to release norepinephrine. While often used in dental care, it can also be used to reduce pain during labour, with some studies showing that it reduced pain from a 9 to a 5.
Allows For Quick Recovery
While you can experience the effects of laughing gas within seconds and minutes, it is also rapidly absorbed and eliminated by the body. Once the gas flow has stopped, patients will return back to their clear-headed selves almost immediately. Similarly, you likely won’t feel any haziness, drowsiness, or “hangover” effects once you are finished, which makes it the preferred option for children who have activities after their procedure.
Non-Invasive Sedation
Dentists who use nitrous oxide will place a mask over their patient’s nose, making it one of the least invasive dental sedation options for children and adults alike. Many children also will be even more afraid of intravenouses or needle sedation, so nitrous oxide is used to create a safe space for their sedation during procedures.
How to Prepare Your Child for Happy Gas?
To prepare your child for a dental procedure that involves happy gas, it’s best to take the following steps:
- Discuss with your child. Ensure that you explain to your child what nitrous oxide is and what it is being used for. It’s best to explain in terms your child can understand, with terms like happy gas or laughing gas that point towards the effects rather than the chemistry behind it. If they have any questions about the dental experience or inhaling laughing gas, respond to questions with comforting and affirming answers.
- Keep their diet in mind. It’s best that before any dental care procedure that uses laughing gas, your child has a light meal in their stomach. Toast, soup, and any non-greasy food two hours before the appointment can reduce risks of nausea. Hydration is also extremely important.
- Create a comfortable environment. Even with explanations that laughing gas is a safe and non-invasive experience, it’s understandable that your child may still be nervous. Bringing along their favourite blanket or stuffed animal to the procedure can help calm their nerves. It also helps if they are dressed in comfortable clothes.
- Stay close for support. Throughout the initial effects of the laughing gas, it may be comforting to your child if you are in the vicinity. Holding their hand or being nearby can be immensely comforting to children who are going through their first dental procedure.
- Care post-procedure. Once the procedure is finished, monitor your child for any post-procedure side effects. While nitrous oxide side effects will wear off fairly quickly, the effects of the gas may persist for a few minutes in some cases. Take their mind off the potential headache by playing a game.
What are Alternatives to Happy Gas?
There are several alternatives to happy gas that you can consider, although many dentistry clinics will use nitrous oxide because it is safe and effective. Some options you may still have in your disposal are:
- Oral sedation (benzodiazepines)
- Intravenous (IV) sedation
- Inhaled Methoxyflurane
- Sevoflurane
While many of these are either effective alternatives or have the potential to be in the future, it’s best to speak to your dentist to have any concerns answered before switching to a potentially worse alternative.
Why do we use Happy Gas for Children?
We use happy gas for children’s dentistry at Brisbane Paediatric Dentist because it creates a less stressful environment for our children patients. It offers a gentle sedation that’s non-invasive and helps children keep calm and co-operative so we can do our work quickly and efficiently. It’s a trusted choice for dental treatment clinics across the world, and we stand by the Happy Gas Approach.
FAQs on What is Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide)?
Should You Use Happy Gas Recreationally?
No, you should not use happy gas recreationally. The recreational use of nitrous oxide has several long-term health risks including, neurological damage, asphyxiation, and become psychologically addictive. In Australia, the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes is also illegal.
Can Babies Have Happy Gas?
Children older than 4 can have happy gas to cope with the potential anxiety and pain they may feel during a dental procedure. Generally, only emergency situations constitute the use of happy gas for children younger than 4.
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