Nitrous Oxide Gas, often referred to as laughing gas, is an effective anesthetic that has many benefits for patients seeking dental treatments. Nitrous oxide has few side effects and is extremely safe to use for dental procedures. It acts fast and goes away fast so it is the anesthetic of choice for treating children. It is also used on adults who are fearful of dentistry or have anxiety and it acts to calm and relax them and make them less anxious. It also makes a person less likely to feel pain during dental procedures.