Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is colourless and virtually odourless, and is administered to your child through a nasal hood along with oxygen. The drug acts on the central nervous system causing euphoria with little effect on your child’s breathing. Laughing gas is a mild sedative, which means your child will be awake and will still need to cooperate for the dental treatment. 

 

Laughing gas is absorbed quickly in the lungs, allowing for rapid onset and recovery (typically within two to three minutes). This also means that your child will not leave the office feeling “drugged”. It does not significantly impair reflexes, and most importantly, protects your child’s cough reflex. Generally, laughing gas is quite safe when administered by a qualified pediatric dentist.