Which is Better for Dentistry: Valium or Nitrous?

So, you're apprehensive about going to the dentist.  You have a few appointments, some of them rather long.  The dentist suggests valium or nitrous oxide for you to take.  Which one should you choose?  Generally your dentist would recommend one of these for you, if necessary.  But to help you decide, here is some information about the two.

Valium -

• inform your dentist/doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma or other breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts
  
• do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medicine can increase the effects of alcohol
• may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for
• sedative effects of Valium may last longer in older adults
• may cause low blood pressure, breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.
• An overdose of Valium can be fatal

Do not take valium if you have:

• severe liver disease
  
• narrow-angle glaucoma
  
• a severe breathing problem
  

Nitrous Oxide -

•  works by relaxing smooth muscle to widen (dilate) blood vessels, especially in the lungs
• is given in a controlled medical setting by a healthcare professional, an overdose is not likely to occur
• blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be watched closely during treatment with nitrous oxide
• an overdose of nitrous oxide is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms
•  a drug interaction between nitrous oxide and other medications is not expected to occur

The dentist may make a suggestion after talking to you in order to obtain a calm patient by establishing pain and tolerance control, dynamic regulation of the blood flow in the brain and safely preparing the patient for surgery.  Nitrous oxide is available and given to children, as well as, adults.  The ADA, American Dental Association confirms that you and your dentist can work together to make you feel more comfortable even during complex dental procedures.

There are a few over-the-counter medications that work pretty well.  NexGen Biolabs, ZenRx a dietary supplement and mood suppresent, has gotten good reviews from people.  However, the Florida Better Business Bureau had a complaint that they were hiring people to write 5-star reviews for their products or using creating fake accounts to write their own 5-star reviews.   NexGen denied.

Now Foods True Calm, a clear gelatin dietary supplement capsule to manage anxiety, also has good reviews.  None of these have done any medical studies that I can find.

RECOMMENDED READING