The effects of laughing gas on oral health

This project united researchers from ACTA and TNO, supported by the private partner Grodenta to develop a new method for detecting nitrous oxide (laughing gas) use in saliva, blood, and breath. Partly, through this public-private partnership, a sensitive and reliable test was successfully created and validated, capable of identifying recent nitrous oxide exposure. Additionally, the project revealed the presence of small amounts of nitrous oxide naturally occurring in saliva, opening new avenues for scientific study.

Nitrous oxide use, both medically and recreationally, has been rising, particularly among young people. In the Netherlands, police reported numerous incidents involving driving under the influence of nitrous oxide, highlighting public safety concerns. Existing detection methods were invasive, costly, or impractical for quick testing in roadside or clinical settings. This created a clear need for an innovative, fast, and non-invasive detection tool to support healthcare, law enforcement, and prevention efforts.

The project applied an advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique to detect nitrous oxide in biological fluids. This method was tested both in the laboratory and in vivo with volunteers who inhaled recreational doses, demonstrating reliable detection for over an hour after use. The new approach showed potential as a practical tool for forensic and clinical applications to better assess nitrous oxide exposure and its health effects.

The project results included a validated analytical method that reliably detected nitrous oxide in saliva, blood, and breath samples, confirmed through in vivo testing. The discovery of endogenous nitrous oxide in saliva was unexpected and suggested new research directions in oral microbiology. These findings have laid the groundwork for future development of portable detection devices and broader applications in public health and forensic science.