Sweet Air for Cavities?

Have any of your children had sweet air to get a cavity filled?
DD is 6 and has a small cavity they need to take care of and they suggested it.
I am just worried because i feel like it's a hallucinogenic drug and I am concerned about making my 6 year old high.

But I also don't want her freaking out over the needle etc. I don't want her to be scared.
But I also don't want her to get freaked out by the odd sensation of the sweet air, kwim?


They assured me it's very safe and as soon as it's turned off they are fine.

Just looking for first hand experience with it in kids.

Thanks!

Re: Sweet Air for Cavities?

Nope.. Just "put the tooth to sleep" as the Dentist called with novacaine. They did fine and weren't even freaked by the needle.

Sweet Air for Cavities?

I had sweet air as a teenager and remember feeling everything and it instilled a fear of the dentist

Sweet Air for Cavities?

I always had the sweet air. I didn't get a needle until I was well into adulthood. I don't know why they don't offer it to adults because I prefer it.

Re: Sweet Air for Cavities?

I thought they still had to numb you as the sweet air is an anesthetic , just something to relax you.
No?

Re: Sweet Air for Cavities?

My daughter needed a mini root canal at 4. She was in the middle of a major doctor anxiety period and there was no way she would have let him do that without it. She did that and novicane and we got it done. For a small cavity, I don't think it's necessary.

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My concern is the needle. She freaks out over needles and one in the gums- well I can't imagine how bad she'd be with that.

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Sweet Air for Cavities?

I remember it from when I had it. I was trying to call for help to my mother, but the dentist told her I was fine. I hallucinated a small person on a giant tube next to my face. It was like I was groggy and couldn't move, but was still aware of what was going on. It was horrible. I would never choose it for myself. If the dentist thought my DD needed it to complete the procedure safely, I would give it. But, if she would do ok without it, I wouldn't.

Sweet Air for Cavities?

I'd have them try it without...if it doesn't go well they can give her the air.

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My DD (5) recently had 2 small cavities (she loves her sweets). The dentist said she could have the sweet air, or nothing at all. We opted for the sweet air, and it was absolutely fine (I did lots of reading up on it and asking friends' opinions/experiences). The whole thing lasted about 5 minutes. I could never do a needle with DD...she would freak the eff out and never want to go to the dentist again.

Sweet Air for Cavities?

My daughter had the sweet air for a small cavity. I believe she was around 4 years old.
She did fine. Was a little silly while the dentist was working. But nothing I was overly concerned with. She was just extra giggly.
Within seconds of them turning off the sweet air she was totally fine.

Re: Sweet Air for Cavities?

My DS has had some extensive dental work in his 6 years - 4 baby root canals and 2 fillings Trust me, its not because we weren't doing our part, he just inherited DH's awful luck with teeth.

Anyway, we finally found a dentist that is so amazing and is able to keep him calm so that she can do her work. He has had sweet air for every procedure because his anxiety of needles is through the roof. It helps keep them calm and helps the dentist get in and get out faster. We tried once without and he was stopping every few seconds because he was 'scared' or 'he felt something' etc. We were there longer than we needed to be.

For DS we noticed no after effects. The numbness of the part of his face was more annoying and bothersome.

My one thing about it is make sure she is not congested when she goes because it will make it harder for her to actually breathe it in. That happened to us once and it took awhile for the dentist to finish because he was just not able to breathe it in the right way.

Re: Sweet Air for Cavities?

Thanks everyone.
She actually got the sweet air and did great with it.
I wasn't thrilled with the idea of it, because I was worried about hallucinations and things others in this thread described- I know myself that would freak me out and I'd never want it.

But DH took her so he kind of made the decision.

He said it was great- she was super calm, relaxed, and said she was flying at one point.
He said the cavity was a lot deeper than they thought so they were working for a while and she was perfect the whole time.

When I asked her if it hurt she said no. When I asked if she got a shot in her mouth she said no. (she did).

The worst part was the numbness- she wasn't happy with that afterwards and was very cranky until that wore off- which is understandable, I myself HATE that numb feeling after dental work.

But all in all it was fine, and I was worried for nothing. As usual.

If she needs work in the future, I'd do it again with no concerns. I feel like it made the whole thing less scary and she isn't worried or scared about going to the dentist again.

Sweet Air for Cavities?

My 2nd cousin was my dentist throughout my childhood....anytime I had a cavity filled (which probably happened 3-4 times), I got sweet air, then the novocaine shot.....
I remember giggling a lot, but I always had such a positive experience with whatever needed to be done - from routine cleaning to teeth pulling