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9735 Landmark Parkway Dr.
Suite #16 St. Louis, MO 63127
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(314) 270-5817
Nitrous Oxide & General Anesthesia
Dr. Kelly Jobe | Pediatric Dentist | St. Louis, MO
Nitrous Oxide & General Anesthesia
If your child has an upcoming procedure, you might be wondering how pediatric dentists use different forms of sedation to ease your child’s anxiety and allow for the best experience.You might also be wondering about the safety level of sedation.
Not to worry, we will give you the info you need to put you more at ease!
How do dentists use sedation with kids?
Pediatric dentists generally use nitrous oxide (aka “laughing gas”) or general anesthesia for sedation, depending on the procedure. It also depends on the child’s level of anxiety.
Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that puts your child in a state called “conscious sedation”, which is exactly what it sounds like: your child will be mildly sedated, but still able to speak, cough and breathe. It is not a general anesthesia and is only to alleviate anxiety.
This is by far the most common method of sedation, and is inhaled through a facemask. If you’ve never experienced nitrous oxide for yourself, it can be described as making you feel happy and relaxed. Your child might also feel a little light, or tingly. Even though it’s sometimes called laughing gas, it usually won’t make your child laugh uncontrollably. That would make our jobs pretty difficult!
General anesthesia (GA) on the other hand, puts your child in a much deeper state of sedation. This is usually a gas that is inhaled through a mask, administered by a specialized anesthesiologist and required for more intensive procedures – like surgeries.
Under general anesthesia, your child will be in a deeper form of sedation. They will feel no pain, and remain in that state until treatment is completed. If suggested for your child’s treatment, we will also consult with an anesthesiologist that will answer all questions prior to any treatment.
Is sedation safe during dental procedures for children?
Nitrous oxide was first discovered in 1793, and has been used by medical professionals for over 150 years. In addition, each year in the US more than a million children under the age of 4 get general anesthesia for surgical procedures. Sedation (like nitrous oxide) is also used by thousands of dentists every day.
Luckily, pediatric dentists and staff are trained extensively on how to use sedation with kids, and it is extremely safe for children!
As a bonus, sedation is a win-win: it’s an effective way to keep children still for dental procedures, and also eases any anxiety they might feel! After a procedure that requires nitrous oxide, we let your child breathe 100% pure oxygen to flush out any residual nitrous oxide from their system.
How long does it take for a child to wake up from anesthesia?
While it only takes about 5 minutes for nitrous oxide to wear off, general anesthesia can stay in your child’s system for up to 24 hours. Until then, your child can experience confusion, drowsiness, be less coordinated or get off-balance sometimes. That’s why we always require a parent to be with the child until the anesthesia wears off. It’s also important to restrict any activities that require hand-eye coordination. Even after general anesthesia, most kids return to their normal activities that afternoon. They are encouraged to return to school and daycare the following days.
for over 150 years. In addition, each year in the US more than a million children under the age of 4 get general anesthesia for surgical procedures. Sedation (like nitrous oxide) is also used by thousands of dentists every day.
Luckily, pediatric dentists and staff are trained extensively on how to use sedation with kids, and it is extremely safe for children!
As a bonus, sedation is a win-win: it’s an effective way to keep children still for dental procedures, and also eases any anxiety they might feel! After a procedure that requires nitrous oxide, we let your child breathe 100% pure oxygen to flush out any residual nitrous oxide from their system.
Questions for Dr. Jobe or the Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry team?
Dr. Kelly Jobe and the team at Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are committed to providing the best pediatric dental care in the greater St. Louis, MO area! Please contact us with any questions regarding your kid’s dental health, we are here to help!
FAQs
At Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we offer two primary sedation options depending on the procedure and your child’s individual needs: nitrous oxide and general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is a mild sedative used for routine procedures and children who experience dental anxiety. General anesthesia is reserved for more intensive procedures and places your child in a deeper, pain-free state throughout treatment. Dr. Kelly Jobe and our St. Louis team will discuss which option is most appropriate for your child before any procedure begins.
Nitrous oxide is a safe, mild sedative that is inhaled through a small facemask placed over your child’s nose. It produces a state called conscious sedation, meaning your child remains awake, responsive, and able to breathe and speak normally throughout the procedure. Most children describe the feeling as relaxed, slightly floaty, or tingly. It takes effect within a few minutes and wears off just as quickly. Despite its nickname “laughing gas,” it does not typically cause uncontrollable laughter. It simply helps children feel calm and comfortable during dental treatment.
General anesthesia is recommended for more complex or lengthy dental procedures, or in cases where a child’s level of anxiety, age, or special needs make it difficult to complete treatment safely with lighter sedation. Under general anesthesia, your child will be in a deeper state of sedation, feel no pain, and remain still throughout the entire procedure. When general anesthesia is recommended, our St. Louis team will arrange a consultation with a specialized anesthesiologist who will answer all of your questions before any treatment takes place.
Yes, nitrous oxide has a well-established safety record in pediatric dentistry. It has been used in medical and dental settings for well over 150 years, and pediatric dental teams receive extensive training on its proper use. The amount administered is carefully controlled throughout the procedure. At the end of the appointment, your child breathes 100% pure oxygen for a few minutes to clear any remaining nitrous oxide from their system. The effects wear off quickly, and most children feel completely back to normal within minutes of leaving the office.
General anesthesia is very safe when administered by a qualified anesthesiologist in a properly equipped setting. Each year in the United States, more than a million children under the age of four receive general anesthesia for surgical and dental procedures. At Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, general anesthesia cases involve a specialized anesthesiologist who monitors your child throughout the entire procedure. Our team follows strict protocols to ensure your child’s safety and comfort from start to finish.
Recovery from nitrous oxide is very fast. Most children feel completely back to normal within about five minutes after the oxygen flush at the end of the appointment. General anesthesia takes longer to clear the system, typically up to 24 hours. During that recovery window, your child may feel drowsy, temporarily confused, or less coordinated than usual. A parent or guardian is required to stay with the child until the anesthesia has fully worn off, and activities requiring hand-eye coordination should be avoided. Most children are able to return to school or daycare the following day.
Preparation depends on which type of sedation is being used. For nitrous oxide, there are typically no special preparation steps required. For general anesthesia, your child will need to fast for a specified period before the procedure, meaning no food or drink for a set number of hours beforehand. Our St. Louis team and the consulting anesthesiologist will provide you with all preparation instructions in advance so there are no surprises on the day of the procedure. As always, keeping your child calm and reassured at home beforehand makes a real difference.
If your child has an upcoming dental procedure or if you have questions about sedation options, our team at Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. We will walk you through everything you need to know and make sure you feel confident before your child’s appointment. Call us at (314) 270-5817 or book online. Our office is located at 9735 Landmark Parkway Dr., Suite 16, St. Louis, MO 63127.
Have more questions about your child’s dental health? Contact St. Louis, MO’s award-winning Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Kelly Jobe!
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Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
9735 Landmark Parkway Dr.
Suite #16 St. Louis, MO 63127 - (314) 270-5817
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