Dental work nitrous oxide

[lyttlewon]

DD needs to have some cavities filled. She is really patient and sits pretty still for cleanings but her dentist wants to use nitrous oxide to keep her relaxed during the procedure. Has anyone done this with their child? What should I expect from her after the procedure? I have never used it myself so I really have no idea what it is like.

[LuckyMommaToo]

Hmmm...DS has even had a root canal with no sedation. DH sits right with him and tells him stories, and sometimes he watches a tv show on his ipod. Our pediatric dentist is extremely respectful and gentle. Once they get the numbing shots in, it's totally fine.

Not saying that sedation is bad, necessarily, but just that I'd ask specifically why he thinks it's necessary. I wouldn't want my kid to have a terrible experience, so if high anxiety were an issue, I'd probably consider the sedation.

-e

[Sri Radha]

Is this a pediatric dentist or a general one? I am a dental hygienist and in the general practice we don't really use nitrous on kids. When I was little they tried giving it to me but I never felt any different. I think it is because they always gave me so little. So it never worked.

How old is DD? If she is cooperative I am not sure why they won't try it without it. Lots of kids are able to sit through fillings with minimal problems. Usually they get upset about the needle but once that is done it is usually smooth sailing. Of course you do get kids that are just so scared we can't get things done but in our general practice we usually refer those to the pediatric specialist.

[JamesMama]

My DS just had dental work done under general anesthesia, including 2 root canals, 6 caps, 2 fillings (DH's family has HORRIBLE teeth, genetics) He was fine after the procedure, groggy, tired but was fine after about an hour and a half. We got home and he was playing soccer with our neighbor kids and having a grand old time. Didn't want to eat much despite being NPO since midnight but was fine otherwise.

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by Sri Radha

Is this a pediatric dentist or a general one? I am a dental hygienist and in the general practice we don't really use nitrous on kids. When I was little they tried giving it to me but I never felt any different. I think it is because they always gave me so little. So it never worked.

How old is DD? If she is cooperative I am not sure why they won't try it without it. Lots of kids are able to sit through fillings with minimal problems. Usually they get upset about the needle but once that is done it is usually smooth sailing. Of course you do get kids that are just so scared we can't get things done but in our general practice we usually refer those to the pediatric specialist.

It is a pediatric dentist. She will be 5 in September. She hasn't had a shot since she was 4 months old so seeing a needle might freak her out but otherwise I don't know how she would feel. She gets nervous easily but when she was in there for a routine visit they said she handled it better than most children they see.

[woo27ks]

when my dc have had cavities filled - they numb the area before the shot. It's done so quickly that they have no idea what's happened. They don't go under, though.

It's so fun for them there that they don't think it's a bad thing to have a cavity.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Just kidding -

good luck -

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

We've tried fillings both with and without nitrous oxide for both of my kids (5 and 8). For my kids, with nitrous is definitely better. It's not a general, but the kids are visibly more relaxed and less stressed about what is going on. They are less likely to move, so need less restraint. Less likely to cry, so its done faster. Given that its not a general, there seems to be little risk and I'm for anything that makes the dentist visit more pleasent and less stressful for everyone.

The only thing I would say is be sure that they warn your child before they start putting things in front of her face -- the first time we did this with my DD it really startled her when they put the nose piece in front of her without warning.

[annethcz]

I think it depends so much on the child. 3 of my kid have had fillings in the last month, and they've had varied reactions. Our dentist prefers not to use anything (no nitrous, no novocaine, nothing) on children unless there is a reason to do so. Two of my kids did just fine without anything. My youngest, who is about the same age as your child, had a really hard time. Although she did just great for the cleaning/ check up, the filling was tough for her. She cried through most of it, although she was in good spirits after it was done. She needs to go back, and I'm going to try novocaine this time and have my fingers crossed that she doesn't freak out with the needle.

[Ks Mama]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

DD needs to have some cavities filled. She is really patient and sits pretty still for cleanings but her dentist wants to use nitrous oxide to keep her relaxed during the procedure. Has anyone done this with their child? What should I expect from her after the procedure? I have never used it myself so I really have no idea what it is like.

If your daughter is fine without it, go without. They can always add it later, at her request, or your request... there's no set up, from my experience.

I have used it in the past when I've had an extremely long procedure - I get a bit claustrophobic with the dental dam in, and the nitrous, combined with music or movie is enough to distract me from the discomfort & worry.

But, if she's okay without mind altering drugs, I'd go without. It's certainly not necessary. I didn't experience any side effects, was able to ask them to turn it up/down dependent on how I felt, and was able to sit with oxygen for a half hour afterwards "cleaning out my system", before driving home.

[Adele_Mommy]

From what I've heard, there is very little risk with nitrous oxide, but it is a mood-altering drug and I don't want my dd having it unless absolutely necessary, just under general principles. Consequently, my dd has had all her dental work done without it (just a couple fillings). She is not particularly relaxed or a particularly "good patient", but she made it through just fine and the second one was much easier than the first. IME pediatric dentists are much more likely to use nitrous oxide than general or family dentists and when a family dentist refers a child to a pediatric dentist for a routine filling, it is precisely because they will use nitrous oxide. In this case use of it is to make completing the procedure easier (or even possible) for the dentist much more than it is for any benefit to the child (except the benefit of getting the work done without a major battle). I prefer a dentist who will let my dh sit with my dd and will work with her to relax her rather than immediately jumping to drugging her, but that is just my opinion. No slam intended on you or your dentist. The dentist is probably excellent and probably most parents of kids who use the practice want nitrous oxide used to make things easier (that is why many people choose a pediatric dentist), so that is the dentist's SOP.

[Mandynee22]

When my DD was 6 she had a filling. It was pretty shallow so they didn't use anything (not even novacain) and she was just fine. She did say "ouch" one time and that was it
A few months ago (at 8) she was supposed to get a filling but the cavity ended up being too deep so they pulled it. They did use navacain. She didn't know they used a needle and she didn't know they pulled her tooth (I swear, I had to prove it to her when we got home LMAO)
So.. if you're anti-gas and your LO is pretty cool about Drs/dentists they might be just fine with a needle and a "just look over there for a second". My DD didn't realize that's why they had her look away until I told her

[Lingmom]

I think the nitrous made it all a lot more pleasant for my daughter and I'd do it again. She had had a bad dental experience before and was pretty nervous and the nitrous took the edge off of it. She got a little giggly and that was it. The pediatric dentist and hygienist really had it down and made the entire experience pain-free and pleasant. I was definitely impressed.

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by Adele_Mommy

From what I've heard, there is very little risk with nitrous oxide, but it is a mood-altering drug and I don't want my dd having it unless absolutely necessary, just under general principles. Consequently, my dd has had all her dental work done without it (just a couple fillings). She is not particularly relaxed or a particularly "good patient", but she made it through just fine and the second one was much easier than the first. IME pediatric dentists are much more likely to use nitrous oxide than general or family dentists and when a family dentist refers a child to a pediatric dentist for a routine filling, it is precisely because they will use nitrous oxide. In this case use of it is to make completing the procedure easier (or even possible) for the dentist much more than it is for any benefit to the child (except the benefit of getting the work done without a major battle). I prefer a dentist who will let my dh sit with my dd and will work with her to relax her rather than immediately jumping to drugging her, but that is just my opinion. No slam intended on you or your dentist. The dentist is probably excellent and probably most parents of kids who use the practice want nitrous oxide used to make things easier (that is why many people choose a pediatric dentist), so that is the dentist's SOP.

I wouldn't be able to sit with her during the procedure. I have a 10 month old and I would have to supervise him while she was getting the work done.

[philomom]

My daughter had one very rotten tooth at 4 years old, so having the work done was akin to a root canal kind of thing. The gas made her giggly and though she still was in some discomfort... it wasn't very much and she did not remember the lengthy procedure she had endured. I sat and held her hand the entire time, her color stayed good and her breathing even. I think exposure to this drug as a one time thing was fine for both of us.

[kaylee18]

I had a tooth pulled with nitrous and novocaine when I was 14. It was great. I was happy the whole way through. Another tooth that was pulled with no nitrous (but with novocaine, obviously) at 18 was very traumatic, although painless. I disagree that nitrous would be given just for the convenience of the dentist. There is real benefit for the patient in avoiding the emotional trauma and negative memories from the experience. I will never have dental work done without laughing gas again.

[Alyantavid]

My 6 year old has to go in and have several cavities filled and a root canal done. The dentist typically uses nitrous on kids and I'm fine with it. My son tends to work himself up into things so I think he'll need a little calming. And I'll be right there with him.

[Adele_Mommy]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

I wouldn't be able to sit with her during the procedure. I have a 10 month old and I would have to supervise him while she was getting the work done.

Then nitrous oxide is probably the way to go. As many of the other posters have said, it can make things much easier and make dental work much more pleasant. Just be aware that not all people react to it the same way. From what I've read, it does not relieve pain or help at all in about 10% of people. Also, for people who have some types of anxiety issues or phobias or who tend to react badly to other drugs, it can be an awful experience. Both my parents and myself do not enjoy the sensations of certain drugs that are supposed to be pleasant and/or have had bad reactions to supposedly innocuous (OTC) medications. Also my dd has issues with feeling trapped, so for all these reasons as well as the "general principles" I mentioned earlier, I have chosen to avoid nitrous oxide. For you and your dd it could be the best thing ever. If your main concern is safety issues and lasting effects, then I don't think you need to worry. My understanding is nitrous oxide is one of the safest anesthetics and the effects are supposed to wear off within minutes of stopping the gas. If you can't be there with your dd then most likely she will appreciate having nitrous oxide to make the procedure easier.

This link provides some general information.

[FondestBianca]

Hmmm, it's been awhile since I've had invasive dental procedures. I had to have stubborn baby teeth with full roots pulled when I was in grade school and a couple filling later on in middle school. The fun mask (as I call it) does do what it is intended but, it may be difficult for a small child to understand the changes it causes. At first the air can seem kind of forcefull and may be scary. A bit later you get a tingling feeling in your arms and legs, it moves on to the rest of your body and you feel like you're floating on a cloud. You stay fully awake the entire time (but, I wouldn't doubt some fall asleep as it is a relaxing state). Your mind gets a little loopy but, you can still recall what happened later and answer questions while under. I remember having to get a lot of shots to numb so the extra relaxation when I was younger was probably good. The shots hurt and they shove them in there and wiggle the needle around for what seems forever. I hear a lot of kids crying when this is done. I didn't but, again, I was a bit older and wasn't comfortable showing emotions in public... so I held back. The mask helps pass the time a bit I think. Honestly, I didn't mind going for procedures because they were made so comfortable for me. I actually liked going to the dentist and still do... even when I don't get the mask... because I don't have any scary memories from the dentist. Watching the reflection in my dentist's glassses as he ripped out my teeth with plyers seemed almost like watching a TV special when I had the mask on. It didn't phase me a bit, nor did drilling. I think it just helps the state of mind. Helps clear your head.

Now that I read this it sounds like what some people say about getting high (which I have never done, not have I ever been under the influence of alcohol)... but, I suppose this could be somewhat like that (only legal and controlled).

The large nose mask also helps block out looking directly at the tools in your mouth. Also a plus. Curiousity ends up freaking us out sometimes. I imagine movies or music could help sooth your child as well but, it wouldn't be in te same manner. Telivision is a distraction... the mask actually changes your thought process and state of mind. You don't have to believe it will do something for it to actually work.

I don't know the medical ups and downs. I'd use that to help make your decision. The only thing I can see that may scare your child about the mask is how it may seem to be forceing air down their nose (but your mouth is uncovered so it isn't too bad), and possibly an anxiety reaction to feeling out of control of their mind or body in the slightest bit. If you have an issue with medications or drugs as it is you may want to look at it from that prospective. Essentially the gasses are getting the user 'high'. I'm VERY against use of drugs, alcohol, and mood altering substances but, for surgery and such I have no issue be given whatever a hospital or dental office typically uses to calm and diminish pain.