[Question #8303] Query about unprotected blowjob with potential root canal
46 months ago
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Good day doctor,
I am a man and recently met a woman online through a hookup app in the LA area. She works as a stripper and is into the hookup culture. I am usually always safe using a condom for both oral and vaginal sex. Anyway during the heat of the moment, she went down on me and started sucking my penis before I could put on a condom. It lasted for a minute or 2, before I asked her to stop. I did notice that her teeth were a bit different and she said that she recently had some root canal work done. Not an expert on dental work, so the extra white teeth I saw were probably fillings. We deep kissed and had condom protected vaginal sex has well. Later in the evening, I noticed that I had some scratches near the insides of the cheeks, though that always happens to me and I don't think it is a cause for concern
All in all, I don't think I am at much risk as every resource I read says that insertive oral is safe in regard to HIV. Some say that there is not enough research in the area as well. Along with that she said that she was clean and gets tested at planned parenthood every month. Not sure whether they do an antibody test or an antibody/antigen test. Their website always says wait for 3 months before testing. She even offered to send me a copy of her results over email if I wanted it for reassurance. Anyway, I will be getting tested in a month or so because I am planning to get Prep as a preventive measure in future as I do hookup occasionally(although always protected). Do you think I am at risk for contracting HIV? My main concern is the root canal work she had done had a negative impact on the safety of oral sex and the deep kissing, though I doubt she could have performed oral sex if her mouth was not healed.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
46 months ago
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Welcome to our forum. Thanks for your thoughtful question. The fact that your partner had recently had a root canal prior to performing oral sex on you in no way changes your receipt of oral sex from her to a risky encounter. You are correct that there is little research specifically directed specifically at evaluation of HIV risk related to receipt of oral sex, However that does not change the fact that millions and millions of persons with HIV have performed oral sex on uninfected partners and there has never ever been a document it instance in which a person acquired HIV from receiving oral sex. It sounds unlikely that your partner is HIV infected. You are fortunate that she tested regularly and freely offers to share her results with you. I see no reason for concern regarding the encounter you describe and no reason for testing related to the event.
FYI, when route canals are performed, the surgical site in the tooth is sealed following the procedure, preventing any transfer of material from the surgical site into the mouth.
---Finally, I am confident that your testing a little over a month following your encounter will provide additional strong evidence that you were not infected. FYI, at four weeks following exposure 98 to 99% of persons who have become HIV-infected will have positive tests. Thus, when year you get your negative test result, as I am confident will be the case, you can be further reassured that you were not infected.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If any part of my responses and clear, or their further questions, do not hesitate to use your opted to follow ups for clarification. EWH
46 months ago
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Thank you doctor. I will not worry about this anymore. You have put my mind at ease. I will be getting tested anyway in a month as I am thinking of going on Prep for additional protection in future encounters.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
46 months ago
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I totally support and agree with your plan. Thanks for your commitment to safe sex. EWH ---