Happy Gas
We have all heard of Happy Gas, but what is it and why is it used in a dental environment? Well Happy Gas is actually a gas called Nitrous Oxide. In a dental environment, nitrous oxide can be inhaled, in combination with Oxygen, to help relax a patient whilst performing various procedures.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous, nitro, or NOS is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colourless, non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odour and taste. It is used in dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects..
The effects of nitrous oxide last only a minute or two, with much milder after affects that can last for several minutes. The gas induces a pleasurable pulsating feeling throughout the body, causes laughing and lightheadedness, and can be described as a “happy drunk” feeling. It can also cause fixated vision, and pulsating auditory hallucinations.
When nitrous oxide is administered in combination with oxygen over a period of time, it will begin to numb the senses as well as the body. The pain threshold of the body is greatly increased. This makes the gas ideal for minor oral surgeries where much heavier anesthetics are not needed.