Happy Gas
Nitrous oxide is often called ‘happy gas’ or ‘laughing gas’ and is a mild sedative that is inhaled through a small hood/mask placed over your nose. It is a fantastic option if you’re a little anxious about your dental treatment. We even have scented hoods/masks for kids to make using happy gas even more fun!
how does happy gas work?
A hood/mask is placed over your nose which is attached to a cannister of happy gas (nitrous oxide) and oxygen. When you breathe in through the nose piece, the happy gas enters your lungs and will give you a sensation of relaxation lessening any anxious feelings you may have. It can sometimes take around 5 minutes for for happy gas to take effect but once it does, you should feel relaxed and perhaps a little sleepy.
Can I use happy gas?
Generally yes! There are instances that happy gas should not be used such as if:
You’re pregnant
You’re child is under the age of 2 years old
You are unable to breathe through your nose e.g. blocked nose
What kind of treatment can I do with happy gas?
You can do pretty much all dental procedures using happy gas making it an ideal sedation option.
How Do I prepare myself for my dental appointment with happy gas?
We recommend eating a light meal and having some water roughly 2 hours before the appointment to reduce risk of nausea and vomiting. It is also recommended that you avoid heavy meals for at least 3 hours after receiving happy gas. It’s also best to make sure you don’t have a blocked nose as it can impact on the effectiveness of the happy gas.
Can I go to work afterwards or drive myself home?
Yes you sure can! After the dental treatment has been completed we will use oxygen to clear any remaining happy gas from your system and you shouldn’t have any aftereffects. We recommend that you stay with us in our waiting room for around 15 minutes after the end of your appointment and check with our front desk staff before leaving.
How much does happy gas cost?
The cost of happy gas is in addition to any dental treatment costs. Pricing depends on the type of dental procedure being undertaken and the length of time that happy gas is required.