You pay at the time of your visit, and we’ll file your insurance claim for you — your insurance will reimburse you directly based on your plan’s coverage.
Our membership plans make it easy to prioritize your child’s oral health and overall wellness without the stress of insurance limitations or unexpected costs.
We’ll always provide detailed treatment estimates and work with you to find payment solutions that fit your family’s budget and healthcare goals.
Dental visits can feel like a big deal to a child, and for many kids, even a routine cleaning can bring on real worry. Fidgeting, tears, or a tight grip on a parent’s hand are common signs that a child needs a gentler way to get through treatment. Left unaddressed, that early anxiety can follow a child into adulthood and make routine care harder for years to come. For families searching for a calmer option, nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, offers a simple and well established way to ease that worry without putting a child to sleep.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we are San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice, led by board certified pediatric dentist Dr. Christi Wengler, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Parents deserve to understand exactly what goes into their child’s body, so we are careful to describe nitrous oxide accurately. It is an anxiolytic, a tool that calms anxiety, not a sedative, and we use it as part of the same transparent, whole body approach that shapes every visit in our pediatric dental care.
Nitrous oxide and oxygen make up a colorless gas with a faint, sweet smell that a child breathes in through a small nasal hood during treatment. It creates a calm, floaty feeling that helps a child stay still and comfortable, and most kids describe a warm, tingly sensation along with a general sense of ease. The effects begin within a couple of minutes and fade just as quickly once the flow is stopped, and we finish every appointment with a few minutes of pure oxygen so a child leaves fully alert. Because a child stays conscious, keeps normal reflexes, and can respond to questions throughout, this is different from sedation, which involves a deeper level of central nervous system depression. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s best practice guidance describes nitrous oxide and oxygen as an analgesia and anxiolysis technique, a category separate from the moderate or deep sedation guidelines that apply to other behavior guidance methods. That distinction matters to us, and it is part of why we do not offer oral or general anesthesia sedation at our office.
Safety is always the first question parents ask, and it is a fair one. Nitrous oxide has one of the longest track records in dentistry and is considered one of the gentlest anxiolytic options available, with side effects such as mild nausea occurring in only a small percentage of patients. It does not require an IV, does not put a child to sleep, and keeps a child responsive and breathing independently for the entire visit. Because a child remains conscious, they can communicate if something feels uncomfortable, which gives both the provider and the parent real peace of mind. Before recommending nitrous oxide, Dr. Wengler reviews each child’s health history, including any breathing concerns, nutritional factors, or developmental considerations, rather than applying a one size fits all approach.
Children with the MTHFR gene variant process certain substances differently, and nitrous oxide is worth discussing with your child’s provider before treatment. We do use nitrous oxide for children with the MTHFR mutation, but we take a more conservative approach, using a lower percentage and keeping exposure time as brief as possible. We also encourage parents to support their child’s natural detoxification with methylated B vitamins for a few days before and after the appointment, along with a diet rich in B vitamins, and our nutritional counseling team can help build that plan around your child’s needs.
Not every child needs additional support to get through a dental visit, but for those who do, nitrous oxide is often the most appropriate starting point. It can help in the following situations.
These are general indicators, and the decision is always made in close conversation with parents based on a child’s unique needs and history, including families exploring our special needs dentistry services.
Experience the difference that holistic pediatric care can make for your child. Our comprehensive approach combines gentle techniques with transparent communication to create positive dental experiences that last a lifetime. We’re here to partner with you in supporting your child’s overall health and development through expert oral care.
With airway-focused orthodontics, we offer the choices and expertise your family deserves. Schedule your consultation today and discover how our unique approach can benefit your child’s health and wellness journey.
When your child arrives for a visit that includes nitrous oxide, the process is calm and straightforward. We walk children through every step in advance so nothing comes as a surprise, and the nasal mask is introduced slowly and gently in one of our private, quiet treatment rooms while we stay in constant communication throughout. Many children enjoy the floaty, relaxed feeling and have no memory of any stress after the appointment. During your new patient exam, we discuss whether nitrous oxide is a good fit for your child and answer any questions you may have. Parents are encouraged to stay involved because informed, empowered parents are part of a positive experience for their child, and our preventive dentistry philosophy extends into every decision we make about anxiety support, always prioritizing the least intervention necessary for a calm, successful visit.
Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway is proud to be Castle Hills and San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice. Dr. Christi Wengler brings a distinctive combination of credentials to every appointment, including a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, certification as a Lactation Counselor, and advanced training through Airway Health Solutions and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. She also currently serves in the Air Force Reserve, bringing a disciplined, detail oriented approach to every child’s care. We are a woman owned, out of network practice by choice, which allows us to prioritize higher quality materials and more personalized care, all in service of helping children become confident, comfortable adult dental patients.
We offer flexible payment options, including membership plans and financing through Cherry and CareCredit, so thoughtful pediatric dental care does not have to be out of reach. If you are wondering whether nitrous oxide is the right anxiolytic choice for your child, or simply looking for a practice that takes a transparent, whole body approach to kids’ dentistry, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
