Dental health explained · Dana Dental Aurora · 9 min read
Yes, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is considered very safe for most children when it’s given by a trained dental team. It helps kids feel calm and relaxed, they stay awake and breathe on their own, and the effects wear off within minutes after the mask comes off. Side effects are usually mild, and many parents choose it to make pediatric dentistry visits easier for anxious kids at a trusted dental clinic in Aurora.
Nitrous oxide is the lightest form of sedation used in dentistry. It’s different from general anesthesia, which puts a child fully to sleep. For kids who need more help, other sedation dentistry options may be discussed, but most children do well with laughing gas alone.
Of course, the best visit is one that needs no treatment at all. Preventive care like dental sealants protects the back teeth from cavities in the first place.
Regular teeth cleaning visits also help kids get used to the dental chair in a low-stress way. If your family is new to the clinic, the New Patient offer is a good place to start.
Quick answer
Laughing gas is safe for most children when given by a trained dental team. It’s mixed with oxygen, breathed through a small nose mask, and wears off within about 5 minutes after the mask is removed. Kids stay awake and can respond. Mild nausea is the most common side effect. Some medical conditions mean it isn’t suitable, so your dentist will review your child’s health first.
What is laughing gas?
Laughing gas is nitrous oxide, a colourless gas with a faint sweet smell. In dentistry, it’s always mixed with oxygen and given through a small mask that sits over the nose.
It’s called “laughing gas” because some people feel giggly or happy. Most children simply feel relaxed, warm, and a little floaty.
Dentists have used nitrous oxide for well over 100 years. It’s one of the most studied sedation methods in medicine.
How does it work?
- The mask goes on. Your child breathes through their nose.
- Pure oxygen first. The dentist starts with oxygen so your child gets used to the mask.
- Nitrous is added slowly. The level is adjusted until your child feels relaxed.
- Treatment happens. Local numbing is still used for fillings or extractions, since laughing gas calms nerves but doesn’t block pain on its own.
- Oxygen at the end. After treatment, pure oxygen flushes out the nitrous for about 5 minutes.
- Back to normal. Most kids feel themselves again within minutes.
What will my child feel?
Children often describe:
- Tingling in their fingers or toes
- Feeling warm or heavy
- Feeling happy or giggly
- A dreamy, floaty feeling
- Less worry about the sounds and sensations
They remain awake, can talk, and can follow instructions. That’s an important safety feature.
Is laughing gas safe?
For healthy children, nitrous oxide is considered one of the safest sedation methods available. Here’s why:
- It works quickly and wears off quickly
- The dentist can adjust the level at any moment
- Children keep breathing on their own and stay responsive
- It doesn’t need an IV or needle
- It leaves the body almost entirely through the lungs within minutes
Possible side effects
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
When is laughing gas not recommended?
Nitrous oxide may not be suitable for children who:
- Have a cold, stuffy nose, or blocked nasal breathing (they need to breathe through the nose)
- Have certain lung conditions
- Have some rare metabolic conditions, such as a B12 related disorder
- Recently had ear surgery or certain eye procedures
- Are very fearful of having something over their nose
Always tell your dentist about your child’s medical history, medications, and recent illnesses.
Safety note
Laughing gas should only be given by a trained dental team with proper equipment and monitoring. Don’t give your child extra sedatives or sleep aids before a dental visit unless the dentist specifically tells you to. If your child is sick on the day of the appointment, call ahead, since a blocked nose can make nitrous ineffective.
What happens on the day: a parent’s timeline
Knowing the flow of the visit helps you prepare your child.
- Arrival. Check in a few minutes early so your child can settle in.
- Health check. The team asks about recent illness, medications, and when your child last ate.
- Getting comfortable. Your child sits in the chair and may pick a “flavour” or scent for the nose mask, if the clinic offers it.
- Mask on. Oxygen first, then nitrous oxide is added slowly.
- Treatment. The dentist talks to your child throughout.
- Oxygen flush. About 5 minutes of pure oxygen.
- Short rest. Your child sits up slowly and rests a few minutes before leaving.
The whole process usually adds only a few minutes to the appointment.
How the dental team keeps it safe
Safety is built into every step:
- Precise equipment that blends nitrous with at least a set minimum of oxygen
- Constant observation of your child’s breathing, colour, and responsiveness
- Adjustable levels, so the dentist can lower or stop the gas instantly
- Oxygen at the end to clear the gas from the lungs
- Health screening beforehand to rule out conditions where nitrous isn’t suitable
These steps are why nitrous oxide has such a strong safety record in dentistry.
Laughing gas vs other sedation options
How to prepare your child
- Talk about it simply. “You’ll wear a little nose mask that smells funny and helps you feel calm and floaty.”
- Avoid scary words. Skip “shot,” “hurt,” or “needle.”
- Offer a light meal 2 hours before. Avoid a big meal right before the appointment.
- Dress them comfortably.
- Bring a comfort item like a small stuffed animal.
- Stay calm yourself. Kids pick up on parents’ feelings.
- Plan a quiet afternoon in case they feel a bit tired.
Myths about laughing gas for kids
Myth: Laughing gas puts children to sleep.
Fact: Children stay awake and can talk and respond. It relaxes them without putting them under.
Myth: It’s addictive for children.
Fact: In the small, controlled doses used in dentistry, nitrous oxide isn’t addictive.
Myth: Laughing gas replaces numbing.
Fact: It reduces anxiety. Local numbing is still used for fillings and extractions.
Myth: Needing laughing gas means a child is “difficult.”
Fact: Dental fear is normal at any age. Laughing gas is simply a tool that helps.
Common mistakes parents make
- Feeding a big meal right before the visit, which increases nausea
- Sharing their own dental fears in front of their child
- Using the dentist as a threat (“If you don’t brush, the dentist will…”)
- Bribing with sweets after the visit
- Not mentioning a cold or stuffy nose before the appointment
Real-world examples
The first filling. A 6-year-old needs a filling and is scared of the sound of the drill. With laughing gas, she feels giggly and relaxed and watches cartoons on the ceiling. The filling is done in 20 minutes, and she leaves with a sticker and no tears.
The gag reflex. An 8-year-old has a strong gag reflex that makes cleanings hard. A low dose of nitrous helps him relax enough to finish his cleaning and sealants.
The stuffy nose. A 5-year-old arrives with a bad cold. Since she can’t breathe well through her nose, the team reschedules. A week later, the visit goes smoothly.
What to do after the appointment
Most kids bounce back within minutes, but a few simple steps help:
- Offer water and a light snack once they feel ready
- If numbing was used, watch that they don’t bite their lip or cheek until it wears off
- Keep the rest of the day calm and low-key
- Praise them for being brave and talk about what went well
- Call the clinic if they have ongoing nausea, unusual drowsiness, or anything that worries you
Most children are back to playing within the hour. Many parents find their child is more relaxed at the next visit, because they remember the experience as calm and easy.
Building positive dental habits early
The best way to reduce a child’s fear is to make early visits easy and positive.
- Schedule the first visit by age 1 or when the first tooth appears
- Keep visits regular, every 6 months
- Read picture books about going to the dentist
- Let kids watch a sibling or parent’s checkup
- Praise effort and bravery, whatever the outcome
- Brush together at home and make it fun
How sealants and cleanings reduce the need for sedation
Children who have fewer cavities need less treatment, and less treatment means less need for sedation. Dental sealants, fluoride, and regular cleanings are some of the simplest ways to keep kids cavity-free and comfortable at the dentist.
Gentle care from a family dentist in Aurora
Kids feel more comfortable when the whole family sees the same caring team. Dana Dental Aurora is one of the most trusted dental clinics in Aurora, with a 5.0 Google rating and 485+ patient reviews. Many local parents see it as their family dentist in Aurora for exactly that reason.
The clinic accepts new patients and CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) patients, which helps many families access children’s care. The New Patient Special introductory package makes the first visit simple, and CareCredit financing can spread larger treatment costs into monthly installments.
Services include general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, sedation, sealants, cleanings, fillings, caps and crowns, dental implants, emergency dentistry, wisdom teeth removal, root canal therapy, cosmetic dentistry, bonding, veneers, teeth whitening, bridges, mouthguards, and nightguards. Flexible evening and weekend scheduling helps busy families, and the team responds quickly when a child has a toothache.
All dentists are registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), which means sedation and children’s care follow provincial safety standards.
Visit the office at 15277 Yonge St., Suite 1 & 2, Aurora, ON. Call +1 (647) 494-5006 or email info@danadentalaurora.ca.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child have laughing gas?
There’s no strict minimum age, but children need to be able to breathe through their nose and keep the mask on. Many dentists use it for children around age 3 and older. Your dentist will assess your child individually.
Can my child eat before laughing gas?
A light meal about 2 hours before is usually recommended. Avoid a heavy meal right before the appointment, since it can increase the chance of nausea.
Will my child remember the appointment?
Usually, yes. Laughing gas doesn’t typically cause memory loss. Most children remember feeling relaxed, which helps future visits.
How long does laughing gas take to wear off?
Most children feel normal within about 5 minutes after breathing pure oxygen at the end of treatment. Many can return to school the same day.
Can I stay with my child during treatment?
Many clinics welcome parents in the room, especially for younger children. Ask your dentist about their approach.
Conclusion
Laughing gas is a safe, gentle way to help most children feel calm during dental treatment.
It wears off quickly, keeps kids awake and responsive, and has only mild side effects for most.
Paired with positive early visits and preventive care, it can help your child build a lifetime of healthy dental habits.
