Dental Anxiety and Nitrous Oxide

Dental anxiety happens when a person is in a dental setting and is experiencing fear or anxiety. It might be associated with fear of the syringe, the drill, or the dental setting itself. Dental anxiety can become dental phobia when this fear becomes unjustified and irrational. This could cause delayed appointments with your dentist. Subsequently, the problem increases. 

Probable Causes of Dental Anxiety 

It can be caused by various reasons like a bad or traumatic experience with a dentist, abuse, anxiety, post-traumatic stress problem, trust issues, and anxiety due to fear of closed spaces and fear of situations that are out of control. 

Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

• Excessive sweating 
• Palpitations or increased heartbeat
• Low BP and feeling like fainting
• Using a sense of humor or such emotion to mask their anxiety
• Showing signs of distress like crying and panicking   

Benefits of Using Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is an inorganic, colorless, and odorless gas. It was used in the 1800s for dental anesthesia and now to help patients with dental anxiety. It is also known as laughing gas. Such a procedure is done by putting a special nose mask by experts. 

• Reduces Anxiety

Nitrous oxide gas or laughing gas can help in reducing the fear and anxiety of the patient. It pumps a feeling of euphoria in the person and helps in the smooth completion of the process. All in all, it reduces the fear and anxiety of the person, and it becomes easy for the dentist to complete the desired process.

• Acts as a Painkiller

It also has analgesic properties and, therefore, acts as a temporary pain-reliever. This helps in making sure that the patient doesn’t feel any sort of pain and discomfort during the whole process.

• Wears Off Easily

Nitrous oxide doesn’t last for a long time. So, once you are done with your appointment, you can go to work or do your daily chores. 

Patients with high anxiety had remarkably less unpleasant feelings during the treatment while under nitrous oxide. The patients with high, medium, and low levels of anxiety felt pleasant and euphoric, which further reduced their fear and anxiety. Nitrous oxide can be used in dental treatment as an effective way to reduce levels of anxiety among patients. 

Bay Smile Design offers advanced dentistry treatments in Sunnyvale, CA. For more details and appointments, call us at (408) 830-0123, book online, or visit us at 1298 Kifer Road Suite #501, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.