Laughing Gas

[ColwynsMommy]

My four-year-old is going in to have a cavity filled tomorrow, and they want to give him some laughing gas to put him at ease. I totally dropped the ball on this, I meant to research to see whether it's safe for young kids but forgot.

So, what do you guys think? Is it okay for him to have some? So far he's loved the dentist, but he's never had a cavity before. I'm terrified of the dentist, so I want to do whatever I can to put him at ease. But I'm also nervous about disassociative drugs and narcotics.

I'm off to research now, but I thought I'd ask here for opinions in case I don't find much.

Thanks!

[rumi]

How did it go? I didn't see this in time to reply before your appt. Anyway, we also used the laughing gas (N2O). I was hesitant since I had read about potential side affects, but dd (age 4) was so nervous about sitting in the chair for the procedure, and I was prepared in advance that we might use it, and so I asked the dentist to use it. She got through the filling fine. And no perceptible reactions to the N2O either.

For us, using the N2O enabled us to avoid going the GA route, which an earlier dentist had advised (good thing we found a different dentist). So I was glad we used it.
Of course N2O alone is not the key, you need a competent dentist+hygienist team that knows how to talk to children (and parents), make them feel heard, trusted, respected and cared for.

dd actually needed fillings in all 4 quadrants, i.e. 4 appts. But at the 4th one they didn't use N2O because they were working on her front teeth and no room for the mask. But since she had experience from the first 3, she got through the 4th one without it. She did listen to an audio book

[Wildflower]

My dd also had nitrous oxide with great success--now she needs it agin...I think somewhere there are nutricianal recommendations, extra vitamins are good before they have it...

[zinemama]

My ds (4) has had three fillings, all without any fear, pain or fuss. Thanks to laughing gas! (And the nice dentist and the audio book)