Have Questions About Nitrous Oxide? We Have Answers!

Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation that dentists provide to patients to help them have a successful, low-stress dental appointment. If you’ve heard about nitrous oxide, you might have questions about how nitrous oxide works. Your dentist in Rockville, MD, can help answer your questions. In this article, you’ll learn what nitrous oxide is and who benefits from nitrous oxide.

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation dental professionals administer to patients during dental appointments. Nitrous oxide can help patients feel calm and even euphoric during dental appointments. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It is administered to patients through a mask that they wear during their dental appointments.

What Are the Benefits of Nitrous Oxide?

There are many benefits of nitrous oxide:

  • Fast-acting: Nitrous oxide starts working almost as soon as it is breathed in.
  • Wears off quickly: After the dental professional turns off the flow of nitrous oxide, you’ll feel normal almost immediately.
  • Helps patients stay comfortable: Nitrous oxide helps patients remain comfortable throughout their dental appointment.

Who Needs Nitrous Oxide?

Dentists often recommend nitrous oxide for patients who have dental anxiety. Many patients who have dental anxiety avoid seeing the dentist. These patients go too long between dental appointments due to their fear of the dentist. Nitrous oxide can make dental appointments easier and less stressful, which makes it easier for patients to make and keep their appointments.

Nitrous oxide is also recommended for people who have a strong gag reflex, and for patients who are about to undergo an uncomfortable dental appointment.

Do you think that nitrous oxide sedation in Rockville, MD, is a good option for you? Talk to your dentist today.

3 Common Dental Problems For Children

Don’t wait for your older child to get a toothache before visiting the dentist. Children should have their first dental visit no later than the age of one, when their first tooth erupts, or earlier if there may be a potential tooth or gum problem.

1. Tongue-tie or Lip-tie

These are two congenital conditions that may go unnoticed without the help of your pediatric dentist in Rockville, MD. Tongue-tie is when the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, and restricts range of motion. Lip-tie is when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the upper gums is restrictive. Both can potentially cause problems with breastfeeding, speaking impairments, eating problems and dental alignment issues.

2. Baby Teeth Decay

Many parents are surprised to learn that baby teeth can decay before they even erupt from the gums. Typically, this is at least partially caused by an excess of sugary drinks, such as apple juice. An early visit to your child’s dentist will include helpful tips and advice to help you to avoid the need to extract decayed baby teeth. And, if problems have already developed, your family dentist will offer effective solutions that support your child’s future dental health.

3. Alignment Issues

Alignment problems with children’s teeth are often caused by thumb sucking and/or the use of pacifiers. While pacifiers serve a valuable purpose for parents, their prolonged use can cause teeth to grow in crooked. Unfortunately, thumb sucking can do the same thing. Your family dentist in Rockville, MD has helpful ideas to help your child break the pacifier habit. We can also identify potential alignment issues before they become expensive orthodontic problems later on.

Your Rockville, MD, dentist is here for your whole family, including your children. Contact us now for a child-friendly dentist visit!