Floss and furries

Q: When is the best time to floss, before or after brushing your teeth. Also is there any reason to floss more than once a day? ……………….Daisy. S

A: According to the American Dental Association it doesn’t matter what order you do it in as long as you do a good job on both.

There appear to be benefits either way, so personal preference is the best choice, because there is more likelihood that you will actually brush.

Aside from the obvious benefit of having cleaner teeth, flossing decreases the risk of gum disease, polishes the tooth surfaces and improves your breath. Brushing only cleans three fourths of your teeth, flossing does the rest. Since it takes up to 48 hrs for bacteria to begin attacking your mouth, it is a good idea to floss at least once a day, preferably at night so you will go to sleep with as clean a mouth as possible.

If you are really into healthy clean teeth don’t forget to brush and floss your pet’s teeth. If getting in there to keep them clean is too difficult, I saw a product online recently that sprayed on the dog’s teeth and dissolved the plaque and buildup without brushing.

Q: I found a caterpillar crawling up inside my pants leg and brushed it away. Shortly after I noticed a bunch of small red bumps on my leg exactly where the caterpillar was.  Are there species of caterpillars that we can have allergic reactions to?

A: Yes there are more than 50 varieties of those pretty caterpillars in North America. Anyone of them can cause a reaction from a slight contact dermatitis to a severe reaction similar to an insect sting. The furry bodies actually release the hairs when you touch them and can get imbedded in your skin. If you notice the tiny hairs use tape to remove it, then treat the area.

As with most allergies the range of reaction to the caterpillar can be none to very extreme. Normal antihistamines do not appear to have any effect on the symptoms. Thoroughly cleanse the area with soap and water and use ice packs or cold cloths if the area is swelling. A mild analgesic cream will help to alleviate the pain and itching. Avoid scratching the rash as it will cause it to spread.

An interesting note in nature, often brightly colored or hairy species tend to be more poisonous. Teach your children to avoid picking them up and use great care in removing them from your body.

Have a question, or is there something you’ve always wondered about? Ask Madalyn invites your questions.

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