It made me feel very comfortable. My new dentist says they don't use nitrous oxide because it might cause multiple sclerosis. Kim Loos, DDS Dr. Kimberly A. Loos practices general dentistry in San Jose, California. She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line. Problems may occur after frequent administration or chronic low level exposure.
Frequent use includes contact with nitrous oxide for more than five hours per week.
Only people who abuse nitrous oxide as a recreational drug would encounter this high level of exposure. Addicts that suffered from frequent exposure showed a higher level of birth defects, spontaneous abortion, and kidney, liver, and neurological disorders. Unfortunately, there is some abuse of nitrous oxide among a few health care professionals. A few cases have documented dentists who breathe nitrous oxide to relax after a stressful workday. Milder signs and symptoms may also become apparent after long-term chronic exposure in an office where nitrous oxide is delivered frequently with no scavenging system.