Laughing to relieve dental anxiety

Researchers are studying whether a mix of nitrous oxide — laughing gas — and oxygen can help reduce pain and anxiety during routine dental cleanings that use ultrasonic instruments. The trial will enroll 120 adults with gum disease and sensitive teeth, who report finding cleanings uncomfortable, according to the study protocol published in BMJ Open. Participants will breathe either the gas mixture or plain oxygen through a mask starting before the procedure and continue until it’s finished. Neither the patients nor the dental team will know which gas is being used to keep the results unbiased.

The study will measure pain, anxiety, vital signs, and any side effects such as nausea or dizziness. It will also ask both patients and providers about their overall satisfaction. By comparing results between the two groups, researchers hope to learn if nitrous oxide makes cleanings less stressful and more tolerable. If successful, this approach could provide a simple and safe way to improve comfort for patients who experience high anxiety or sensitivity during dental treatments.

Read more: BMJ Open

 

 

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