Texas Dentist Caught Huffing Nitrous Like It’s a Root Canal Party!

Houston-area dentist, 39-year-old Christopher Michael Pedlar, DDS, is facing criminal charges after being caught huffing nitrous oxide "all day" before leading police on a half-mile car chase. This marks Pedlar's third arrest since October, and guess what?

The charges are identical...

Not only does Pedlar practice dentistry, but he's also a teacher at the University of Texas School of Dentistry. Not good.

Pedlar was caught with 107 canisters of nitrous in his vehicle last Saturday. He was initially clocked going 44 mph in a 30 mph zone, and when police attempted to pull him over, he refused and instead made "multiple turns" while looking back at them in his rearview mirror.

Sources say two of the nitrous canisters were very cold, with ice crystals on the exterior, leading one to believe he had recently used them.

He eventually gave up and admitted to the police he had a problem and that he had been inhaling them all day long.

If you aren't familiar with nitrous oxide, it's also known as "laughing gas." It's a mild sedative used to manage pain and anxiety in dental patients. Nitrous oxide abuse is no laughing matter, though. It can lead to brain damage, psychosis, paralysis, and seizures.

Nitrous oxide has become rather popular among young people and accidents involving drivers under the influence of the inhalant are becoming increasingly common.

Here's more information on nitrous oxide and the dangers lurking behind what may seem like a little innocent fun:

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