{"id":184,"date":"2023-10-26T11:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T11:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.midtowndentistrydallas.com\/blog\/?p=184"},"modified":"2023-11-14T00:00:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T00:00:12","slug":"will-nitrous-oxide-put-you-to-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.midtowndentistrydallas.com\/blog\/2023\/10\/26\/will-nitrous-oxide-put-you-to-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Nitrous Oxide Make You Sleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you fear dentistry, perhaps you\u2019ve considered nitrous oxide sedation<\/a>. The latter can calm you for all sorts of dental treatments. That said, you may have a lingering question: Will nitrous oxide put you to sleep? Based on the answer, you may decide for or against sedation. Truthfully, though, nitrous oxide should leave you awake. Your Dallas Dentist can tell you more if you want. To that end, here\u2019s a primer on nitrous oxide, its effects, and why it\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Context: What\u2019s Nitrous Oxide?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you didn\u2019t already know, nitrous oxide (better known as \u201claughing gas\u201d) is a mild dental sedative. Dentists use it to calm patients down for specific procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When applied to dentistry, a patient inhales nitrous oxide through a nose mask. Doing so allows the substance to spread through the body and take effect. The dentist also monitors this inhalation, ensuring you remain calm during treatment. Once the procedure is over, they\u2019ll gently remove the nose mask. You should then feel the gas\u2019 effects dissipate pretty quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will It Put You to Sleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike general anesthesia, nitrous oxide doesn\u2019t put patients to sleep. It only reduces your awareness and sensation as care proceeds. That way, you\u2019re still lucid enough to respond to the dentist\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than sleep, nitrous oxide usually causes effects like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n