Embarrassing Questions
I'm in my 30s and starting to notice some of my teeth are yellowing. Is this normal? What are safe ways to whiten? Is there anything that I can do the slow down the yellowing?
Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD, is a professor of restorative dentistry, and chairman of the department of preventive and restorative sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Natural teeth have a tendency to get darker as we get older. There are several more or less effective over-the-counter tooth whitening products and toothpastes available in drug stores and pharmacies that may be helpful in making your teeth lighter again. The most effective and safest way, however, is to do this under the supervision of a dental professional, who can assess the reason for the darkening and select the most appropriate solution.
The teeth may be discolored with “external” stains from tea, coffee, tobacco, red wine etc., which can only be removed with special cleaning and polishing instruments, preferably by a dentist or dental hygienist. If that’s the case, this cleaning should be done before any other tooth whitening procedure.
My girlfriend just found out that she has HPV. What is it? What does this mean for me?
Jie Xu, M.D, specializes in OB/GYN at Riddle Hospital, Main Line Health.
HPV, which stands for human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is passed on through genital contact. There are over 100 types of HPV. The most common types causing genital warts are types 6 and 11, and for cervical cancer, types 16 and 18. What most people do not realize is that HPV usually has no signs or symptoms, so those who are infected may not know that they have it and may not realize that they are passing it on.
Although your girlfriend was diagnosed with HPV and you may have already contracted it, both of you can still be vaccinated. The vaccine protects you against more than just one type of HPV. Make an appointment to see if you are eligible for a vaccination to protect yourself and prevent the potential spread of the infection.
Sometimes I wake up and I've drooled all over my pillow. Is this normal?
Mike Cirigliano, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine at Penn Medicine.
Excessive drooling or nocturnal sialorrhea is not normal. The body is very good at controlling saliva and if you find your pillow wet in the morning, you should get this checked out.The most common causes are due to either a problem with swallowing your saliva or making too much. Diseases can range from seasonal allergies and reflux to Parkinson’s disease and abnormalities of the mouth. Some medicines can also cause it. I would definitely recommend you get this checked out.
I'm a woman who wants to shave all my hair down there. Is there a health reason why I shouldn't?
Mike Cirigliano, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine at Penn Medicine.
Removal of genital hair is a very common practice. In fact, in one study, up to 70 percent of young men and women between the ages of 12 to 20 admitted to shaving their genital areas. That being said, there are some risks associated with the practice. Improper shaving can lead to irritation of the skin, folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles (from shaving against the grain of the hair), and cuts. Some studies even suggest that this form of body modification is more common in sexually active adolescents compared to those who are not.
If you’re going to partake, be very careful and for sure, know how to shave properly.
Can I get a STD from a toilet seat or a hot tub?
John Missanelli, DO, is a gynecologist at Lourdes Health System.
Sitting on a toilet seat or being in a hot tub cannot give you a sexually transmitted disease. As the name says, sex is needed to pass on these diseases. There are other ways some diseases can be passed other than sex, but this is rare.
I've noticed a tiny bit of white discharge from my nipples, but I don't have a baby. Does this mean I'm pregnant?
John Missanelli, DO, is a gynecologist at Lourdes Health System.
Discharge from the breast of any color and consistency is normal.
When discovered, it can seem alarming, but it does not necessarily mean that you are pregnant or have an emergent medical problem.
Will yogurt cure a yeast infection if I put it "inside"?
Matthew Fagan, MD, is an urogynecologist at Lankenau Medical Center, a part of Main Line Health.
Vaginal yeast infections are very common, and many women might be affected by them once or twice per year. Although there are different ways to treat a yeast infection, yogurt is not one of them. One of the myths surrounding yeast infections is that eating yogurt and the natural bacteria it contains can help to prevent an infection from occurring. While yogurt does contain natural healthy bacteria, it cannot prevent a yeast infection regardless of how it is used.
Yogurt isn¹t the answer to a yeast infection, but fortunately, the solutions are usually simple ones that don¹t necessarily require a doctor¹s visit. Effective self-care methods include nonprescription creams and over-the-counter medications, which can be purchased from pharmacies and most grocery stores. These treatments typically treat a yeast infection and the associated symptoms within a few days.
Could I be using hand sanitizer too frequently? For example, I'll use it after shaking someone's hand that appears to be sick, or in the car, after I've been grocery shopping.
Lisa Adams, CRNP, is a certified nurse practitioner at Paoli Hospital, a part of Main Line Health.
Avoiding germs and keeping your hands clean is never a bad thing. Many common illnesses can be contracted through germs picked up through person-to-person contact or from counter tops, doorknobs, and other shared surfaces. By using hand sanitizer regularly, you can not only decrease your risk for contracting other germs, but also decrease the risk of sharing your own.
It is important to note that while hand sanitizer can be an effective disinfectant, it shouldn¹t be the only method. Make sure to wash your hands regularly. Try to use sanitizer only when soap and water is unavailable. Some viruses or diseases can be immune to sanitizer. That is why traditional hand washing is so important. Don¹t think of hand sanitizers as a replacement, think of them as a supplement.
Why does eating beets turn my pee and poop red? Are there any health concerns with this?
Mervyn D. Danilewitz, MD, FACG, AGAF, Chief of Gastroenterology, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital
The beetroot pigment called betanin is responsible for the red coloring in urine and feces and this should not cause any health concerns.
Some people cannot break the pigment down and this results in excretion of the pigment in urine and feces.The rest of the beetroot is digested and no nutrients should be lost. This usually lasts 48 hours, but it can vary in people who have a slow or faster rate of passing feces. It also depends on amount of fluids one drinks.
My husband, in his 40s, recently began snoring every night. Is there anything we can do? Can a doctor help?
Ajay Pillai, MD, Director of Sleep Disorders Center, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital & Mercy Suburban Hospital
Snoring is very common, particularly in males. Habitual snoring is present in 44 percent of males and 28 percent of females between the ages of 30 and 60. Occasional snoring is almost universal.
Snoring is a sound produced by vibration of the soft tissue in the throat during sleep. It suggests some narrowing of the upper airway.
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