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My teeth were starting to deteriorate, and I was running out of options to repair them. The dentist gave me a choice. I could wait until the bone loss was so bad that I would have to have my teeth removed and get dentures, or I could have them removed now and get dental implants. I opted for the implants. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions. I love mine, but they took some getting used to. In this blog, I’m sharing my experience and all the information that I picked up throughout my implant experience. You can find out what the procedure entails, how to prepare for your implants, and how to care for them once they’re in.

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What To Expect When You Get Laughing Gas For The First Time

by Alfredo Moore

Laughing gas has long been used in the dental field. It's an ideal sedative because it's easy for the patient to inhale, easy for the dentist to control, and it causes few to no side effects. Still, the prospect of having laughing gas for the first time can be a bit intimidating. Knowing what to expect will help calm your nerves so you can approach your appointment feeling confident and ready.

How does your dentist give you laughing gas?

Administering laughing gas will be one of the first things your dentist does when you sit down in the chair for your procedure. If you're also going to have an injected local anesthetic, you'll be given the laughing gas first so you don't feel as much pain and unease when your dentist injects the anesthetic into your gums. A little mask will be put over your nose, and your dentist will ask you to inhale as you normally would. You may feel a tiny bit of tingling the first few breaths you take with the mask in place, but after that, everything should be normal. Remember to breathe through your nose, not your mouth.

What does being sedated with laughing gas feel like?

It's called laughing gas for a reason! Don't be surprised if you giggle a little or start to find everything that's happening a bit humorous. You'll be awake and aware of what's going on around you, but none of it will bother you. You'll just find it amusing. For instance, you may see your dentist come towards you with the drill and think "Haha, that's so funny that they use drills for teeth!" Your thoughts may seem similar to those you experience during a strange dream.

Will the laughing gas make you nauseous?

You may have heard, from other patients, that laughing gas can make you feel sick to your stomach. This is typically only true if your dentist accidentally gives you a little too much laughing gas. If you start to feel a little queasy, tell your dentist. They can ease up on the flow of the gas, and you'll feel better in a few minutes.

How long does the sedation last?

When your dentist is done working on your mouth, he or she will remove your mask. The laughing gas should wear off within a few minutes. If you want to drive yourself home from your appointment, you should be able to as long as you wait at the dentist's office until you feel completely normal again.

There's no reason to fear your first experience with laughing gas! Contact your dentist (like Barry Groder DDS) if you have more questions or concerns.

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