Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal

Did you feel groggy or weird after the nitrous wore off? I’m worried I’ll be out of it for hours.

Honestly, I was surprised how fast the nitrous faded. Like, I felt a bit floaty for maybe 10 minutes after they turned it off, but by the time I got to my car, I was basically back to normal. Not like getting knocked out or anything. It’s nothing like anesthesia where you’re wiped for hours. If anything, it was almost too short - kinda wish I could’ve kept the chill vibe a bit longer.

I was super nervous about that too, especially since I had to drive myself home after my appointment. I actually budgeted for an Uber just in case I felt too loopy, but honestly, I didn’t even need it. The nitrous wore off way faster than I expected - like, by the time they sat me up and handed me a cup of water, I felt almost totally normal. Maybe a little lightheaded for a few minutes, but nothing major.

I get being worried though. I kept picturing myself wandering around the parking lot like a zombie or something, but nope... Didn’t happen. If anything, the worst part was realizing how much my insurance doesn’t cover “feeling chill at the dentist.” Would’ve paid extra for that calm feeling to last through my next electric bill.

It’s definitely not like those stories you hear about people being out of it for hours after anesthesia. Nitrous is more like a quick mood boost that fades before your debit card even gets swiped for the copay. If you’re on a tight budget (like me), it’s nice not having to fork over extra cash for someone to drive you home or take the rest of the day off work.

I will say, if you’re sensitive to stuff or have never tried it before, maybe give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes before heading out - just to be safe. But really, it’s probably one of the least disruptive things you can do for dental anxiety. And hey, if you figure out how to bottle that chill feeling for later (or for dealing with bills), let me know... I’d buy it in bulk.

Funny, I wish nitrous wore off that fast for me. Maybe it’s just my age or how much they gave me, but after my last crown, I sat in the waiting room for a good 20 minutes before I felt steady enough to walk out. Didn’t feel like a zombie, but definitely didn’t trust myself behind the wheel right away. My dentist said some folks are just more sensitive - guess I’m one of ‘em. Still beats the old days when they’d just say “tough it out,” though...

Didn’t feel like a zombie, but definitely didn’t trust myself behind the wheel right away.

Same here - after my last filling with nitrous, I needed a solid half hour before I felt normal. I’ve always wondered if it’s partly how long the procedure goes or just individual metabolism. Did your dentist use oxygen at the end to help clear it out? Mine does, but even then, I’m still a little foggy. Definitely better than white-knuckling it through dental work, though...

Yeah, I totally get that weird in-between feeling after nitrous. My dentist always gives me oxygen at the end too, but I’m still a little out of it for a while. I think it’s probably a mix of how much they use and just how your body handles it - my friend bounces back fast, but I’m more sluggish. Either way, not having to tough it out during the actual root canal is a huge win. You’re not alone in needing extra time to feel normal again!

That lingering floaty feeling is so relatable. I always get the oxygen at the end too, but sometimes I still feel like I’m walking through fog for a good hour or so. It’s funny how everyone’s reaction is different - my sister said she felt totally fine after ten minutes, but I needed a nap. Did you notice if eating or drinking something after helped you snap out of it faster? I’ve heard some folks swear by a snack, but I’m never sure if it actually makes a difference.

Did you notice if eating or drinking something after helped you snap out of it faster?

Funny you mention that - I've seen people swear by a juice box or a granola bar, but honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference myself. Sometimes I still feel like I’m in slow motion even after a snack. It really is wild how everyone’s body reacts so differently. My favorite is watching folks try to walk straight to the waiting room... always a bit of a wobble.

I’ve noticed the same thing - snacks right after laughing gas don’t really speed things up for me either. There’s this theory that eating or drinking might help metabolize the nitrous oxide a bit faster, but honestly, the gas leaves your system pretty quickly just from breathing regular air. I remember once I tried scarfing down a banana and some water thinking it’d help, but I still felt floaty for a good fifteen minutes. The slow-motion feeling is so weird… like you’re underwater or something.

Watching people do the “post-laughing gas shuffle” to the waiting room is almost a rite of passage. Some folks are totally fine, others look like they just stepped off a merry-go-round. I guess metabolism, anxiety levels, and even how long you were on the gas all play a part. Personally, I just sit tight for a few extra minutes until my head feels normal again - no granola bar required.

That floaty feeling is oddly memorable, isn’t it? I’ve had my fair share of dental work over the years, and nitrous always leaves me a bit spacey for a while, no matter what I eat or drink after. You’re right - just sitting and letting it wear off seems to work best. Funny how some folks bounce right up and others need a good ten minutes to feel steady. I always tell myself it’s better to take it slow than risk wobbling out the door.

Funny how some folks bounce right up and others need a good ten minutes to feel steady.

That’s interesting - do you think it’s just a personal tolerance thing, or could it be what the dentist sets the nitrous level to? I’ve only had it once, and honestly, I felt weird for like half an hour after. Is it normal to feel a bit of a headache, too? Or maybe that’s just nerves mixing in...

Is it normal to feel a bit of a headache, too? Or maybe that’s just nerves mixing in...

I’ve definitely had the post-nitrous headache before, so you’re not alone. I think it’s a mix - some folks are just more sensitive, and sometimes the mask doesn’t fit perfectly so you get a bit too much or too little oxygen. I always feel a bit floaty for a while, but my partner bounces up like nothing happened. Nerves probably don’t help either.

I always feel a bit floaty for a while, but my partner bounces up like nothing happened.

Wild how it hits everyone so differently. I've had days where I felt like I could run a marathon after, and others where my head was all fuzzy. Anyone else notice if eating beforehand makes it better or worse?

Yeah, it’s kinda wild how different people react. I’ve noticed if I eat a big meal before, I actually feel more out of it after the laughing gas - like my head’s in the clouds for longer. But my friend swears eating helps her bounce back faster, so maybe it’s just a personal thing? Either way, you’re definitely not alone with the floaty feeling. Dental stuff is already stressful enough... at least laughing gas takes the edge off, even if it leaves you a bit spacey after.

That’s interesting - I’ve actually noticed the opposite. For me, having an empty stomach seems to make the aftereffects of nitrous oxide more pronounced, almost like there’s less buffer for the dizziness.

“I actually feel more out of it after the laughing gas - like my head’s in the clouds for longer.”

“I actually feel more out of it after the laughing gas - like my head’s in the clouds for longer.”

That’s funny, I’ve had almost the exact opposite reaction. If I eat even a little beforehand, the effects seem way milder for me. But if I skip breakfast, I’m lightheaded for hours. Hydration might be a factor too - my dentist once mentioned that being dehydrated can make you feel woozier after nitrous, but I never really paid attention to it. Maybe we’re all just wired differently... or maybe it’s just the universe’s way of keeping us guessing at the dentist’s office.

Honestly, I kind of question whether nitrous is worth the extra charge. I felt groggy for hours, even though I followed all my dentist’s “eat and hydrate” advice. For the price, maybe just toughing it out with local numbing is better…

I get what you mean about the grogginess.

I felt groggy for hours, even though I followed all my dentist’s “eat and hydrate” advice.

I wonder if it’s something to do with metabolism or just personal sensitivity.

Yep, everyone’s a little different - some folks bounce back fast, others feel foggy for hours. Metabolism and even anxiety levels can play a part. I’ve seen people swear by nitrous, while others prefer just the numbing. Personally, I’d pick laughing gas for anything longer than a quick filling... way less tense.

Personally, I’d pick laughing gas for anything longer than a quick filling... way less tense.

Not gonna lie, nitrous has its fans - but have you ever tried just the local and a podcast? Some of my patients swear the distraction is enough, and they’re totally alert after. Plus, with nitrous, you sometimes get that “hangover” feeling (and I’ve seen folks get giggly at the worst moments). I’m not saying skip it if you’re anxious, but for quick stuff or if you hate that floaty sensation, local can be the way to go.

Also, sensitivity isn’t always about metabolism. Sometimes it’s just how your body reacts that day - had one guy who was fine with gas one visit and nauseous the next. Our brains are weird like that. Ever had a day where nothing seems to work right? That happens in the dental chair too.

Our brains are weird like that. Ever had a day where nothing seems to work right? That happens in the dental chair too.

Seriously, this is so true. I once went in for a whitening session and thought I’d be fine with just local - brought my favorite true crime podcast, figured I’d zone out. Nope. Every little buzz felt like it was echoing through my skull. Ended up more tense than if I’d just gone with the gas.

But then, on another day, I sat through a crown prep with only local and barely noticed a thing. It’s wild how unpredictable it can be. Sometimes you’re chill, sometimes your nerves just aren’t having it.

I do get the appeal of nitrous, though - especially for longer stuff. It’s like hitting the “mute” button on dental anxiety. But I’ve definitely had friends say it made them feel weird after, or kind of loopy. Guess it really is a “try it and see” thing for each person.

Dental roulette, basically...