Laughing gas is the everyday name for nitrous oxide, a gas breathed in through a small mask.

In kid words

"We're going to put a soft little mask over your nose, and it might make you feel warm and floaty, like you're extra light." You keep breathing normally and can still talk the whole time. The feeling fades away again soon after the mask comes off.

The parent version

Laughing gas is the everyday name for nitrous oxide, a mild gas blended with oxygen and breathed in through a small mask that rests over the nose. It is a purely inhaled option, so there is no needle and nothing to swallow, and children stay awake and breathing on their own the whole time it is in use.

Whether it fits a particular visit is worked out case by case, based on your child's age, temperament and the treatment planned. That is always a conversation, so ask your pediatric dentist whether it fits an upcoming appointment.

Where you might hear it at our office

Laughing gas is one item on our full sedation and comfort menu, and usually the one parents ask about first by name. Plenty of routine checkups and cleanings do not call for it at all, and it is never the default for a visit.

You will always discuss the options with your pediatric dentist first. Nothing happens without you. More entries from today's visit are waiting in the rest of the dictionary.

Related words

Words that often come up alongside laughing gas: anesthesia, sedation and topical numbing cream.