Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal

Totally get what you mean about the anxiety. I used to dread even simple cleanings, so a root canal felt like a nightmare scenario for me too. Nitrous oxide made such a difference for me as well - like you said, “

I could still hear and talk, but the edge was totally gone.

I’ve tried oral meds before (like Valium), but honestly, they made me feel groggy for hours after. Not a fan. IV sedation always sounded a bit much unless it’s for something really major. Nitrous is the only thing I’ll ask for now, especially since it wears off so fast.

Glad it worked for you too. It’s nice to know there’s an option that doesn’t leave you wiped out or super loopy afterward. I still get nervous before appointments, but knowing there’s something that helps takes some of the fear away.

Same here, nitrous is the only thing that actually helped me get through dental work without feeling wiped out after. Oral meds just left me groggy and weird for half the day. Nitrous wears off so quick - makes going back to work or driving home way less stressful.

I’ve always wondered why more dentists don’t just offer nitrous as the default. Every time I’ve had dental work, they push those oral sedatives or even IV stuff, but honestly, I hate how long that groggy feeling sticks around. Last time I tried the pills, I was basically useless for the rest of the day - couldn’t even focus enough to read, let alone work.

Nitrous was a totally different story for me. I was super anxious going in for my root canal (like, almost cancelled twice), but with the laughing gas, things felt way less overwhelming. I remember thinking it was kind of wild how quickly I felt normal again after. Drove myself home, made lunch, and didn’t feel like I’d been hit by a truck.

Curious if anyone’s dentist ever gave them a choice? Mine didn’t really mention nitrous until I specifically asked. Wonder if it’s just not as common in some places or maybe they assume everyone wants the “stronger” stuff. Either way, nitrous is a game-changer for me - wish I’d known about it sooner.

Either way, nitrous is a game-changer for me - wish I’d known about it sooner.

Nitrous is honestly the unsung hero of dental work. I’ve had braces, extractions, the whole nine yards, and laughing gas is the only thing that kept me from accidentally kung-fu kicking my orthodontist. The oral meds just made me sleepy and weirdly emotional (cried at a toothpaste commercial after). Nitrous wore off fast and I could actually function after. Not sure why it’s not standard everywhere - maybe they just want us to suffer a little for our crooked teeth?

Not sure why it’s not standard everywhere - maybe they just want us to suffer a little for our crooked teeth?

I’ve wondered about that too. My kid had to get a baby tooth pulled last month, and I practically begged for nitrous but the dentist said it “wasn’t necessary.” Meanwhile, my child was white-knuckling the chair. I don’t get why some places are so stingy with it - it’s not like we’re asking for spa treatments, just a little less trauma. Maybe insurance doesn’t always cover it? The quick recovery is such a plus, especially when you have to wrangle a groggy child after.

I hear you - nitrous made a huge difference for me during my own root canal, so I don’t get why it’s treated like some rare luxury. Insurance is definitely one factor; some plans just won’t pay for it unless it’s “medically necessary,” whatever that means. But honestly, who decides what counts as necessary? Kids especially could use a little extra comfort. I’ve also noticed some dentists just aren’t fans of using it, maybe because of the extra setup or training. Still, I’d take a few minutes of paperwork over a traumatized kid any day.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I’m actually scheduled for my very first root canal next week and the whole idea has me pretty freaked out. When I asked about nitrous, my dentist kind of brushed it off, saying it’s “not always necessary” and that local numbing works fine for most people. But honestly, that’s not really comforting when you’re already anxious.

A friend of mine had nitrous for a wisdom tooth extraction and said it made the whole thing way less terrifying. I don’t really see why it should be considered some big deal or “luxury” either - especially if it helps people get through something stressful without panicking. I did some digging and apparently, in some places, dentists have to jump through extra hoops to offer it, like special licenses or equipment. That just seems like a hassle they’d rather avoid.

I’m still debating whether to push harder for it or just try to tough it out. But yeah, I’d rather fill out a few extra forms than spend the whole appointment white-knuckled in the chair...

I’m still debating whether to push harder for it or just try to tough it out. But yeah, I’d rather fill out a few extra forms than spend the whole appointment white-knuckled in the chair...

Can’t blame you for wanting the nitrous. Anxiety is no joke in that chair, and honestly, “local numbing works fine for most people” doesn’t really address how different everyone’s stress level is. It’s not just about pain - sometimes it’s about not feeling trapped or panicky.

I’ve had a couple root canals, and the first time I tried to just grit my teeth (no pun intended). Regretted it halfway through. The second time, I asked for nitrous and they gave me the same line about it “not being necessary.” I pushed back a bit and said I’d pay whatever extra, and suddenly it was available. Not sure if that’s always the case, but it made a huge difference for me - felt like I was floating above the whole thing instead of counting ceiling tiles trying not to freak out.

It does seem weird that something so simple can be treated like some big deal. But yeah, there’s paperwork and sometimes extra cost or insurance hoops. Still, if it helps you get through the procedure without a panic attack, what’s the harm? Dentists probably see so many patients who are fine with just local that they forget how rough it is for some of us.

If you’re really anxious, there’s nothing wrong with advocating for yourself. Worst case, they say no again and you decide what you’re comfortable with. Best case, they realize you’re serious and set it up. Either way, don’t feel like you have to “tough it out” just because that’s what works for other people.

Root canals aren’t fun but they’re survivable - especially if you can get whatever makes it less miserable. Good luck next week.

if it helps you get through the procedure without a panic attack, what’s the harm?

Honestly, that’s how I look at it too. The only thing that holds me back is the extra cost - my insurance barely covers the basics, and “luxuries” like nitrous are all out of pocket. Still, after one bad drilling session where I tried to tough it out, I’d rather pay a bit more than spend the day recovering from stress. Sometimes peace of mind is worth budgeting for, even if it means skipping takeout for a week.

- Totally get where you’re coming from about the cost. I used to think nitrous was kind of an “extra,” but after a rough filling last year, I realized my anxiety just wasn’t worth saving a few bucks.
- It’s wild how something like that can throw off your whole day (or week). For me, budgeting for it felt like self-care, not a luxury.
- Have you ever tried talking to your dentist about payment plans or discounts for things insurance doesn’t cover? Sometimes they’ll work with you, especially if anxiety is a real issue. Wonder if others have lucked out with that?

I totally relate to the “self-care, not a luxury” thing. Nitrous isn’t cheap, but neither is losing sleep over dental work. I used to white-knuckle it through appointments and honestly, it just made everything worse. My dentist actually knocked a bit off the price once when I explained how much I needed it - didn’t hurt to ask. Sometimes just being upfront about anxiety makes them more understanding. Funny how a little gas can make you feel like you’re floating above all the stress... literally and figuratively.

“Nitrous isn’t cheap, but neither is losing sleep over dental work. I used to white-knuckle it through appointments and honestly, it just made everything worse.”

This hit home for me. I used to try and tough it out too, thinking I was saving money by skipping the extras. But after one especially rough filling where my hands were shaking the whole time, I realized I was kind of setting myself up for a bad time. Nitrous made a huge difference during my last visit - it wasn’t a root canal, but it was a deep cleaning and I get super anxious about those.

I hear you on the cost. I hesitated at first, but after factoring in the week of anxiety and lost sleep, it honestly felt worth it. Plus, like you said, sometimes dentists will work with you if you’re upfront. Mine let me split the payment over two visits, which helped a lot. It’s wild how just being honest about nerves can make the whole thing less intimidating.

Floating above the stress is right... I almost wish I could bring that feeling into the rest of my life.

It’s honestly a game changer once you stop trying to tough it out and just admit you need a little help. I used to feel embarrassed about asking for nitrous, like I was being “weak” or something, but that anxiety spiral just isn’t worth it. The cost can sting, but like you said, factoring in all the stress and lost sleep, it’s not as bad as it seems. I think more people would get regular care if they knew it didn’t have to be a nightmare. And yeah, floating above the stress… wish I could bottle that too.

I get what you mean about the anxiety spiral - been there. But I’ve actually found that just talking through the steps with my dentist and asking for breaks helped me almost as much as nitrous. Not knocking it at all, but sometimes I wonder if we’re too quick to reach for sedation when a really good dentist can make a huge difference? Maybe it depends on how bad your dental anxiety is. Curious if anyone else has managed without it, or if I’m just lucky with my pain tolerance...

I get where you're coming from, but I actually tried to do the “talk it through and take breaks” route with my last filling, and honestly, it just didn’t cut it for me. Even with a kind dentist, my anxiety sort of took over once the drill started. I wish I could power through without sedation, but for stuff like root canals, laughing gas is the only thing that keeps me from bolting out of the chair. Maybe it’s just how my brain is wired? Pain tolerance is one thing, but for me it’s more about the panic.

Even with a kind dentist, my anxiety sort of took over once the drill started.

That sounds so familiar. I tried the “just breathe and take breaks” approach too, but when I got my braces off and had to get a cavity filled, my heart was pounding out of my chest the second I heard that drill. It wasn’t about pain for me either - my brain just freaked out and I felt trapped in the chair. I ended up asking for laughing gas after the first few minutes because I seriously thought I might start crying.

Honestly, I wish all dental offices offered something for anxiety by default. My last orthodontic appointment was just for a retainer check, but even then, I was super tense the whole time. Does anyone else find that certain noises or smells in the office make it worse? The sound of those tools just gets me every time...

Does anyone else find that certain noises or smells in the office make it worse? The sound of those tools just gets me every time...

That’s honestly the worst part for me, too. The second I catch that weird chemical smell or hear the high-pitched whine of the drill, my body just tenses up. It’s wild how much of it is psychological - like you said, it’s not even about pain half the time, just pure anxiety.

I really think dental offices should normalize offering laughing gas or other anxiety options as a standard, not just when people ask. Some folks might feel embarrassed to bring it up, but it can make all the difference. I’ve even started bringing headphones and playing music or podcasts during cleanings to drown out those sounds. Not a perfect fix, but it helps a bit.

It’s funny - my dentist tried to reassure me by saying “it’ll be quick,” but honestly, that made me more nervous. If anything, I’d rather they just acknowledge it’s stressful and let me take my time. You’re definitely not alone in feeling trapped in that chair…

I really think dental offices should normalize offering laughing gas or other anxiety options as a standard, not just when people ask.

Totally agree, but I wish insurance covered it more often. My office charges extra for nitrous and honestly, that adds up if you’re on a tight budget. Headphones help, but they don’t block out the smell or that weird pressure feeling. I’d rather pay a bit more for actual comfort than pretend I’m fine just to save twenty bucks, though.

Laughing gas was a total game-changer for me, too. I used to white-knuckle it through every cleaning, let alone something major like a root canal. The sound of the drill, that burning smell - ugh, no thanks. Nitrous made the whole thing feel like I was just floating through a weird dream where my mouth happened to be open for an hour. I’d honestly pay double just to avoid the trauma.

But yeah, the extra charge is annoying. My dentist tacks on $60 for nitrous, and insurance acts like it’s some wild luxury, not basic self-preservation. I get that they can’t just hand out laughing gas like Tic Tacs, but come on… If I’m already paying a small fortune for dental work, can’t I at least be comfortable while it happens? Headphones are fine for blocking out the whirring, but they don’t do squat for that rubber-glove smell or the “am I drooling?” paranoia.

I’ve tried going without nitrous before, thinking I’d tough it out and save the cash. Regretted it instantly. It’s not even about pain - numbing shots handle that - it’s the sheer anxiety and all those weird sensations. Nitrous takes the edge off in a way nothing else does. Honestly, if more people knew how much easier it makes things, I bet they’d ask for it every time.

Kind of wild how some offices still make you feel awkward for requesting it, too. Like, sorry for not wanting to have a full-blown panic attack while you poke around in my mouth? Maybe someday insurance will catch up and realize mental comfort is part of healthcare too. Until then, I’ll keep budgeting for my little cloud of dental happiness…