My DS had to have two baby teeth pulled. N.O. was a godsend for my anxious kid.

This is the pp again. I just wanted to note that my daughter had serious dental work done at age 3 and needed to be put under general anesthesia. I was extremely terrified but everything turned out fine, and even though I got multiple opinions just to make sure, I also know she would never have made it through without being put under. But that was a younger VERY antsy age.

I think it really depends on the child. If you know your child has a hard enough time sitting through a regular cleaning, for example, then I'd be more inclined to go ahead with the gas.

^ DD 8 yo at the time.

My DD had a very bad tooth that had to be removed. Rotten on top, deep roots. The dentist used gas; she never noticed anything and it was a deep, nasty pull to get it out. She just does not remember ANYTHING. I would recommend gas for a serious circumstance like that.

You guys realize that nitrous oxide is just laughing gas, right? Just give it to your child so he can be more relaxed.

OP here --thank you all so much for your posts. I was also uncomfortable about the blanket recommendation... I hope DS does well, if not, we'll reconsider at that point.

My 5 YO has a condition affecting the enamel on her back teeth and because of it has already had three cavities filled. The first dentisto we saw wanted to give her the N.O. and I was uncomfortable with their blanket recommendation so we went somewhere else. Our new pediatric dentist, who has been practicing for decades, only uses it when absolutely necessary. My DD did just great without it, each time. If I had to tell her tomorrow she had to have another tooth filled, she wouldn't mind at all.

Some kids need the gas to sit still and relax, but IMO dentists around here use it as a convenience, on everybody, rather than trying a little bedside manner first.

Both my kids had dental work done without nitrous or the need for it. They also have had it when needed (one had a serious gag reflex when doing some work in the back, and the other had a major injury.)

If you think your son would do fine with talking it through beforehand, especially if you think the mask would increase anxiety rather than reduce it, tell the dentist and do that. If you get a lot pushback, or if they don't really try to help your son through it, it might be time to switch dentists.

BTW, there is a numbing spray that can be used before the novocaine shot, and injection techniques to minimize its discomfort. You can ask if they use those - and they should. Even my general dentist does.

Anonymous wrote:Why not novacaine?

Nitrous isn't for pain - it's to relax the child. Some children are just too nervous/uneasy to sit still for the dentist.

My son had nitrous for his filling and it went fine - he really needed it, though. He can barely sit still for a cleaning.

OP here. I have just found out that he will get Novocaine. Would you still see the need for n.o?

Why not novacaine?

We tried with mine and it didn't work. Ended up making a second appointment and getting the nitrous oxide. That was fine.

My daughter got a filling without it and it went just fine. The filling was pretty superficial and she listens extremely well.

My almost 7y.o. will have his first tooth cavity fixed next week. The dentist's office routine in these cases is to administer painkillers first on an empty stomach, and then to use nitrous oxide. I am reluctant to go ahead with this, for 2 reasons: 1) I am not sure exactly how my child would respond to that, and I am afraid he would freak out the way his sister had in the past (having to use a mask and so on); my approach would be to talk with him about what to expect and so forth. 2) It's crazy expensive, and over the 2 visits he would need, we'd be out 400$ (ins doesn't cover it).

WWYD? Any experiences? Is it really the best course, or has your child had a good experience without laughing gas? I'd really appreciate any opinions here...