Nitrous is the only way I get through my ortho appointments without freaking out, honestly. I’d probably see the dentist way sooner if it didn’t cost so much, but even then, the anxiety’s still there no matter what. Has anyone tried other ways to calm down, like music or those weighted blankets? Just curious if anything else actually helps.
Nitrous is the only way I get through my ortho appointments without freaking out, honestly.
I get where you're coming from, but I’ll be honest—nitrous didn’t do much for my kid. She’s always been super sensitive to anything medical, and the gas just made her feel weird and even more anxious. What actually helped her was having a little routine: headphones with her favorite playlist (she’s big into Taylor Swift right now), and a small stuffed animal she could squeeze. The dental assistant was nice enough to let her keep it in her lap, which I didn’t even realize was allowed until we asked.
Weighted blankets are a neat idea, but the office we go to doesn’t have them, and lugging our own seemed like a hassle. Distraction with music and something familiar to hold seemed to make a bigger difference than I expected. I know everyone’s different, but sometimes the simple stuff works better than the fancy options.
Funny, my son was the same way—nitrous just made him giggle for a minute, then he’d get more antsy than before. What really worked was having his favorite stuffed shark and a playlist of Minecraft music. Sometimes the “comfort objects” do more than any fancy gadget or gas.
Totally get what you mean—my daughter barely noticed the nitrous, but her favorite blanket and a YouTube playlist made all the difference. Sometimes it’s the simple, familiar stuff that really calms them down. Gadgets just can’t compete with a well-loved plushie.
You’re spot on about the comfort items—sometimes it’s not about fancy gadgets at all. When my son needed a filling, I tried all these distraction apps and games, but honestly, his old stuffed dog did more for his nerves than anything else. I guess it’s just what they associate with feeling safe, right?
I do think nitrous can help a lot, but for us, it was more about layering up the little things: bring the favorite blanket, let him wear his own headphones, and make sure he had something familiar to squeeze. If you’re trying to keep costs down, you don’t have to spend on all sorts of new stuff. Use what you’ve already got at home—soft hoodie, family playlist, whatever makes the chair feel less scary.
Honestly, if you find what works for your kid, stick with it. Even if it seems simple or even a bit silly to someone else. Those small comforts add up way more than people realize.