[Question #11007] Oral Sex with a Broken Tooth - HIV Transmission

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17 months ago
Good Morning. If I have a broken tooth and gave someone oral sex to a man, is the risk still extremely low for HIV transmission?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
17 months ago
Welcome to the Forum.  Thanks for your questions.  I'll be glad to comment.  Your risk for HIV from the exposure you describe is is close to zero.  The estimated (it has to be estimated because cases are too rare to accurately calculate a precise risk) from performing oral sex on an untreated, HIV infected person is less than 1 infection per 10,000 encounters (i.e. like performing oral sex on such a person daily for more than 27years.  Dental disease, including gum disease and broken teeth, and oral sores do not meaningfully change this low risk.  Further you do not know that your partner had untreated HIV and statistically that is unlikely.  I would have no concerns about the encounter you describe.

I would however suggest that, going forward, in the future you might as new partners about their HIV status and when they were last tested.  Many of our clients find this helpful and reassuring. 

I hope this information is helpful.  EWH
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