Sedation Dentistry in Ottawa: How Tooth & Co. Helps Anxious Patients Feel at Home
Dental anxiety is real, and it is far more common than most people realize. Whether it is the sound of the instruments, a memory from a past visit, or simply a sense of unease that is hard to explain, feeling nervous about the dentist is something many Ottawa residents quietly carry with them. At Tooth & Co., Dr. Campbell offers sedation dentistry in Ottawa for patients who need a little more support to feel comfortable in the chair. That means nitrous oxide (laughing gas) when it is the right fit, and a clinic that was deliberately designed to be quieter, calmer, and less clinical than what most people are used to.
Sedation Dentistry in Ottawa: What Nitrous Oxide Actually Does
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a colourless, mildly sweet-smelling gas that is inhaled through a small nosepiece during your appointment. It takes effect within minutes, slowing the nervous system just enough to produce a calm, light sensation without putting you to sleep. You remain fully awake, aware, and able to communicate throughout the visit.
What makes nitrous oxide so well-suited to dental care is how quickly and safely it works. The Canadian Dental Association recognizes it as a well-established option for managing dental anxiety, and it has been used safely in dental settings for well over a century. Once the nosepiece is removed, the effects clear within a few minutes, meaning most patients can drive themselves home and head straight back to work afterward. For anyone squeezing an appointment in during a lunch break near Centretown West, that matters.
Nitrous oxide is a good fit for patients who:
Feel anxious or uneasy in dental settings
Have a strong gag reflex
Find it difficult to stay still for longer appointments
Want a comfortable experience without the commitment of deeper sedation
Beyond the Gas: Comfort Is Built Into the Clinic
Sedation dentistry at Tooth & Co. is not limited to what goes through the nosepiece. Dr. Campbell designed this space from the ground up to reduce the sensory triggers that make dental visits feel overwhelming for anxious patients.
Acoustic tiles line the ceiling throughout the clinic, absorbing the sounds that tend to set anxious patients on edge before treatment even begins. Quieter rooms mean less buildup of dread, and for a lot of people that is half the battle. Natural light replaces the harsh overhead fluorescents you find in most clinical spaces, keeping the atmosphere warm and grounded rather than cold and institutional. And the clinic uses ceiling-mounted air purifiers to reduce the air pollution that contributes to that distinct clinical smell, the kind that can trigger a stress response the second you walk through the door. Every one of these choices was intentional.
And then there is Mushroom!
Meet Mushroom: Tooth & Co.'s Certified Therapy Dog
Mushroom is a mini poodle and a certified therapy dog who graduated with Companion Paws in spring of 2026, just in time for the opening of Tooth & Co. She is here most days, available to greet and comfort patients of all ages before and during their visit. If you would like Mushroom present for your appointment, just let us know when you book and we will make sure she is ready to say hello.
For patients with dental anxiety, the presence of a therapy animal has a genuine calming effect. Mushroom does not replace clinical care, but she does make the experience of receiving it a great deal easier for a lot of people.
Who Is Sedation Dentistry Right For?
Research from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information shows that dental anxiety affects a meaningful portion of the Canadian population, and that it directly leads to avoided care and poorer long-term oral health. Sedation dentistry helps break that cycle.
At Tooth & Co., nitrous oxide sedation is available for a wide range of treatments and services, from routine cleanings and exams to fillings, extractions, and root canal treatment. Dr. Campbell will review your health history before recommending it and will always explain what to expect at every stage. Her approach is honest and minimally invasive by principle. The goal is never to over-treat, but to make sure you feel genuinely comfortable with whatever care you do receive.
If you have been avoiding the dentist for months or years because of anxiety, you are not alone and you are not being dramatic. You just need a clinic that was built with you in mind.
Book Your Appointment
Tooth & Co. opens in early June and is now accepting new patients in Ottawa's Centretown West neighbourhood. Fill out the contact form at toothand.co today to pre-book your appointment. Whether you are interested in nitrous oxide sedation or simply want to experience a dental visit that feels nothing like what you have been dreading, we would love to meet you.
815 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 6Y1
Telephone: 613-714-4646 | Corner of Gladstone and Rochester
Written by Dr. Amanda Campbell, principal dentist and founder of Tooth & Co.
