How Does It Feel To Get Dental Sedation?

October 20, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — smilesforlifeteam @ 1:41 pm
woman receiving nitrous oxide for dentistry

Many, many people avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety. Some estimates claim that up to 75% of adults deal with dental nerves—does this include you? If so, dental sedation offers a safe and predictable way to help you finally stay comfortable in the chair, but what does it actually feel like? Does it put you to sleep like general anesthesia, or will you become loopy and talkative like you’ve seen in online videos? Fortunately, the truth is much more nuanced, as sedation dentistry offers a subtle but effective way to keep you calm.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

It’s simply a scenario where you receive your dental care while being sedated—it’s really that straightforward. It can be applied to practically any procedure you can think of, from standard cleanings to complex oral surgery and everything in between.

While dentists and their teams can do a lot to soothe your nerves by walking you through the treatment, answering questions, and using a light touch, sedation dentistry goes a step further. It utilizes methods that directly tamp down on your body’s natural responses to stress while also reducing physical discomfort.

What It’s Like to Get Nitrous Oxide

By far the most popular and widely available form of dental sedation, nitrous oxide involves simply breathing in a mixture of the odorless gas and oxygen through a small nasal mask. Within a few minutes, most patients start to feel lighter, warmer, and perhaps a little tingly in their limbs. A feeling of euphoria is common, causing some patients to giggle, hence the nickname “laughing gas.”

While you might have heard of this before, what’s often overlooked is that nitrous oxide has a slight analgesic effect, so it will slightly numb you to anything your body might register as pain. The most succinct description is that it’s like sitting in a bath with thousands of microscopic bubbles—sounds pretty pleasant! You’ll stay awake and know what’s going on the entire time, and once the mask is removed, there is no lingering drowsiness or numbness.

Is Nitrous Oxide Right For You?

If you’ve avoided the dentist or canceled appointments because of anxiety, then you’re definitely a good candidate for nitrous oxide. It can also help patients with an overactive gag reflex, extremely sensitive teeth, and those who have trouble sitting still for extended periods.

But overall, if you’re nervous about visiting the dentist, the best thing you can do is just tell your dental team up front. They encounter this all the time, and by knowing what’s going on, they can help. Whether that involves nitrous oxide is up to you, but you should have peace of mind that getting the care you need will be much easier than in the past.

About the Author

Dr. James Gray has over 30 years of experience practicing dentistry as well as a steadfast dedication to remaining up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. He’s an active member of several professional organizations, including the Texas Dental Association and American Dental Association, and provides comprehensive, comfortable care. By offering nitrous oxide sedation, he’s able to help people who feel nervous or anxious while they’re in the treatment chair finally breathe easy.

To learn more about sedation dentistry or have it used at your next appointment, click here or call 817-460-4131.