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DEAR HELOISE: I have two options to suggest for warming up a cold, small animal:
• Run a towel through the dryer and wrap them in this along with a space blanket to hold the warmth in.
• If you're comfortable with it, wrap the animal in a soft, thin cloth (like an old flannel sheet) and put the animal on your chest. Body heat works well.
-- Kate D., in Portland, Oregon
Kate, the transfer of body heat also works for humans. So many people forget that in very cold weather, while they're shoveling snow or skiing, they may start to perspire because they've worked up their body heat. They may remove a jacket, hat or glove to cool off. They feel damp in cold air.
If they were to become hypothermic, they could get inside a sleeping bag, and you could get in with them. Your body heat could save a life.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: Years ago, I worked as a dental assistant, and one of my jobs was to teach patients proper dental hygiene. Persistent bad breath and tender or bleeding gums can all be signs of potential periodontal disease (a seriously damaging bacterial infection), which can be avoided or corrected by disturbing the bacteria that's just beneath the gumline with proper flossing and brushing.
Once a day, floss every tooth, preferably with unwaxed floss, guiding the floss down each side of the tooth and slightly beneath the gumline. Then gently brush with fluoride toothpaste, angling a soft bristle brush toward the gumline in a back and forth motion. Make sure that both the tongue side and cheek side of your teeth are clean.
By following this procedure once a day, you'll be disrupting the bacteria that causes gum irritation. If your gums slightly bleed at first, continue this process, and the bleeding should stop in a short time. If not, consult your dentist for additional information.
Smokers should pay particular attention to their teeth as tobacco use greatly raises the risk of periodontal disease and can also hide the early signs. I read "Hints From Heloise" in the Gaston Gazette!
-- Ginny, in Gastonia, North Carolina
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.