Summer is fast approaching, which means it is the perfect time to address your child’s health concerns without interfering with their education. Procedures that may take them out of school for long periods of time are best rescheduled to the summer months, if possible. The following health concerns are just some of the issues you may want to schedule during the time your child is out of school.
Root Canal
A root canal is often painted as a nightmarish experience for the patient, but if your child is experiencing severe pain in their tooth, they might require one. A root canal is a procedure that serves to remove damaged pulp from within the tooth, replacing it with a permanent filler that acts as the tooth for the remainder of the tooth’s life. For children, especially those who have not yet lost their baby teeth, a root canal on an affected tooth could be the difference between proper tooth formation or not.
But why save baby teeth if they are simply going to fall out? In fact, baby teeth are as important to keep as adult teeth when it comes to proper oral development. If the child loses a baby tooth prematurely, the rest of the teeth shift to fill the gap. When it comes time for the new adult teeth to replace them, there is not the appropriate amount of space in the gums for it, and thus may grow in awkwardly. Seeing a dentist like those at Charleston dentistry is a great way to make sure your child is comfortable at school and won’t need to miss time during the school year for extensive dental work.
Eye Muscle Surgery
Eye muscle surgery, or simply lazy eye surgery, is a corrective procedure to fix the muscles in the eye causing the eye to drift inward or outward. This result is achieved by loosening or tightening the muscles within the eye that control the position the eye is facing. The procedure itself has a 60-80% success rate, meaning that after a single surgery, the eye may still wander back to its pre-surgery state. Subsequent operations do not increase the chances of the surgery sticking; the operation will always have a 60-80% success rate regardless of how many corrections are made.
This surgery is a same-day ordeal; the doctor does not remove or cut the eyeball during the procedure. Children who undergo this procedure are put under general anesthesia for the duration of the treatment. The doctor then cuts into the clear part of the eye, the conjunctiva, and adjusts the muscles in such a way that it corrects the eye’s position. When the surgery is done, small stitches are used to seal the eye. Children are advised not to engage in any strenuous physical activity for about ten days, so scheduling this procedure during the summer ensures that you can keep an eye on them, and they won’t hurt themselves in the process.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important part of controlling the spread of preventable disease, as well as protecting your child against viruses. The flu is one such example of a virus that is often prevented with vaccines. Other diseases, just as meningitis, HPV, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis), also have preventative vaccines for children aged 11 and 12. It is important to check with your doctor about which vaccines you should give your child before the school year starts.
Vaccines work by exposing the body to a “dead” virus. The parts of the virus that may make you sick, such as strains of the flu, are killed off or weakened in such a way that it should not make your child sick. The body then sends antibodies to control the virus, effectively “learning” how to protect against a particular strain of flu. Sometimes, people get sick after receiving a vaccine (such as the one for the flu), but it usually means that the body was exposed to a virus already before preventative vaccinations.
Allergies
Allergies are common during the summer months because of factors like pollen, and symptoms could arise while your child is playing outdoors. It is important to take note of any signs your child may be having, including coughing, sneezing, runny nose, redness of the eyes, or hives, as these may be indicative of an allergic reaction. If you suspect that your child is allergic to something, begin taking note of the experiences they have, and which triggers are present at the time of the reaction. The most common triggers are pollen, dust, and certain foods.
When your child begins to exhibit any symptoms pointing to an allergic reaction, you should take them to an allergist right away to be further diagnosed. Early detection of an allergy can prevent your child from becoming seriously ill. Ensure that the school is aware of your child’s allergy, especially if they are young and have the potential to be exposed to life-threatening triggers.
Summer is ideal for children to get out of the house and experience being a kid, but it is also a prime time to catch up on some of the health concerns that you may be worrying about with your child. Taking care of your child’s health during the summer means fewer missed classes, which in turn means they are getting the most out of their education.