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The lightest level

Nitrous Oxide
(“Laughing Gas”) for Kids

A soft, breathed-in relaxation that kicks in fast and wears off just as fast.

Make an Appointment Call (203) 324-6171
  • ✓ No needles
  • ✓ Back to normal the same day

Practice highlights

Stamford pediatric dentist

Free patient parking onsite

Orthodontic evaluations

Right next door

Emergency dentist for kids

Same-day help + 24/7 calls

1,000+ five-star reviews

Highly recommended by families

A Dental Care Kids clinician working calmly with a young patient in the chair

The gentlest option

A little help relaxing, and nothing more

Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small scented mask. Your child stays awake and can talk to us the whole time — they just stop minding what is happening.

  • Your child stays awake and responsive
  • Kids pick their own mask scent
  • Wears off within minutes of the mask coming off
  • Board-certified pediatric specialists

Visit Dental Care Kids

1500 Summer Street, Stamford, CT  ·  (203) 324-6171

How nitrous works

Three steps, start to finish, inside a normal appointment.

  1. 1

    Choose a flavor

    Kids pick a scent for the mask (strawberry, bubblegum, mint, grape).

  2. 2

    Relax in minutes

    The nitrous kicks in within 3-5 minutes. Your child feels calm, floaty, sometimes giggly.

  3. 3

    Wears off just as fast

    Once the mask comes off, effects clear within minutes. No sleepy afternoons.

No fasting is needed for nitrous, and most children go straight back to school afterwards.

What a nitrous visit looks like

Start to finish, inside a normal appointment.

  1. 1

    Choose a flavor

    Your child picks the scent for their mask.

  2. 2

    Mask goes on

    A small nosepiece rests gently in place. Nothing covers the mouth.

  3. 3

    Relaxation kicks in

    Within about 3-5 minutes your child feels calm and a little floaty.

  4. 4

    Treatment happens

    We work at your child’s pace while they stay awake and responsive.

  5. 5

    Pure oxygen at the end

    A few minutes of oxygen clears the nitrous completely.

  6. 6

    Back to normal

    No grogginess, no lost afternoon. Most kids return to school or play.

Need a little extra support?

Nervous child? We go at their pace.

Nitrous works best alongside a calm, unhurried approach. Tell us what helps your child settle and we will build the visit around it.

  • Show-tell-do
  • Child-led pace
  • Pick your own scent
  • Adaptive techniques
Tell us what helps
A Dental Care Kids clinician treating a young patient wearing protective sunglasses Comfort comes first

DCK Moments

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  • Dental Care Kids patients with a balloon and goodie bag after their visit
  • A Dental Care Kids team member with a toddler patient

Why nitrous is usually our first suggestion

It is the lightest thing that works, which is exactly the point.

No needles

Nitrous is simply breathed in. Nothing is swallowed and nothing is injected.

Very well tolerated

Decades of pediatric use, with effects that stop as soon as the mask comes off.

Takes the edge off

Anxious kids stop bracing for every step and the visit gets easier for everyone.

No lost day

No fasting beforehand and no grogginess afterwards.

Parent questions

Nitrous oxide FAQs

Short answers to the questions families ask most often. Still wondering about something? Call our Stamford team.

Need a personal answer?

Call (203) 324-6171
Is it safe?
Yes — when administered by trained pediatric specialists with continuous monitoring. Nitrous oxide has decades of safety data in pediatric dentistry. At Dental Care Kids, we use modern equipment with automatic oxygen safety thresholds, continuous monitoring, and trained staff supervising every moment.
Will my child be “knocked out”?
No. Nitrous is a conscious sedation — your child is fully awake, aware, and able to talk and respond. It just helps them feel relaxed instead of anxious.
What does it feel like?
Kids often describe it as “warm,” “floaty,” “like a tingly feeling in my arms and legs,” or “fuzzy.” Many say they feel like they’re watching the appointment from far away. Most kids enjoy the sensation.
Will my child remember the appointment?
Usually yes — nitrous doesn’t cause amnesia the way deeper sedation does. Your child may remember the visit but feel like it passed quickly.
What are the side effects?
Nitrous oxide is generally very well tolerated. Rare side effects include mild nausea (especially if a child ate a heavy meal before the appointment) or a brief headache. These resolve quickly.
Can my child eat before the appointment?
A light meal 2 hours before is fine. We recommend avoiding heavy or greasy foods immediately before the visit to reduce the rare chance of nausea.
Is nitrous covered by insurance?
Sometimes. Coverage varies by plan. We’ll verify your benefits before treatment. Learn about insurance and financing.
What if my child doesn’t like the mask?
No problem. We always do a “mask test” first — letting your child hold and try on the mask with no gas. If they can’t tolerate it, we switch to another sedation option like oral sedation.

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Experience the difference

Where Your Child’s Bright Dental Future Begins!

At Dental Care Kids, every visit is built around your child’s comfort, curiosity, and confidence. Our board-certified pediatric specialists and kid-loving team make dental care something families actually look forward to.

Contact & location

Call (203) 324-6171 to schedule your child’s visit, or reach us at frontdesk@dentalcarekids.com.

1500 Summer St., 2nd Floor, Stamford, CT

We serve families across Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, and nearby Westchester County, NY.

Evening and Saturday appointments available

Request Appointment Call (203) 324-6171