Visit to the dentist --- I am very worried

[some_person]

Hi,

I had gone to my dentist about two days ago. I have braces for my teeth so that was why I had to visit the dentist. While the dentist was working with the braces she asked me to rinse my mouth with water.
There was a plastic cup filled with water on a prop in the machine type thing on which dentists usually ask there patients to lie down and then operate on them.
Instinctively I picked up the cup of water and started to rinse my mouth. I did not realize that cup of water may have been used by a previous patient and so did not ask to change the cup and the water for me.
But what if that cup and the water had been used by a previous patient? And since he was there obviously for some dental work there is a good probability that he may have blood in his mouth.
While drinking the water form the cup I did not notice any visible blood on the cup (at least on the side from which I drank the water) or in the water itself.
I do not have any deep cuts in my mouth, i.e. I do not bleed from my mouth but since I have braces there may be a few cuts in my mouth.

Also the reason for me suspecting that the cup of water may not have been changed after the previous patient is that on one earlier occasion when I visited the dentist I had noticed a plastic cup of water with some blood on it left by a previous patient, and then I had asked the doctor to replace it.

I know that i am assuming too much and thinking in a very negative manner,but this thing has really started to trouble me. Could you guys please comment on this and suggest what should I do.

Thanks in advance.

[worried826]

You are assuming way too much without even having an understading about how HIV is transmitted.

You were never at risk, move on and dont think about it anymore.

[ECN44120]

NO risk, forget about and you should stop worring for this,

[evenflow1121]

There is water in a cup assuming there was blood, assuming further that it would be that of an HIV positive person which is unlikely you would still have 0 risk.  That blood would have been exposed to oxygen, and there would be too little blood inthe cup anyway.  If that water was "bloodied" you would never have drank from it anyway.

[some_person]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the replies.
The thing that is worrying me is that I have a few cuts in my mouth and on one previous occasion the dental assistant had forgotten to replace the cup.

I also read somewhere that mouthwash weakens the mucous membrane of the mouth/gums and should not be used. It took me about an hour to reach my place after the appointment with the dentist, and then I rinsed my mouth with mouthwash.

I think I have to do something for my anxiety levels. I can get tested for this but then tomorrow it may be something else. It could be a never ending cycle.

So, I'll ask this once more (and please scold me if you want to) Considering the entire scenario Should I get tested for this?

Thanks for bearing with me.

[ECN44120]

No you should NOT get tested, you should seek for a therapist or shrink to help you with your OCD and anxiety.

[worried826]

Still no risk at all, zero. Knock off the ridiculous scenarios that you are makiing up and move on with life. No more "what if" posts.

No testing is warranted at all, but if it makes your anxiety go away then by all means go ahead and get a rapid test at the clinic, it will be negative.

[avisg]

There is still no risk ....

[sissyphus]

Your anxiety is clouding your judgment. You are clearly at no risk for HIV. If you were at any realistic risk, HIV would not be classified as a sexually transmitted disease. My advice to you is either to accept this truth and move on, or to seek counseling regarding your current emotional state - I know from personal experience how difficult it is to move beyond certain levels of anxiety, whether imagined or real.

[some_person]

Thanks a lot everyone.
A feel a lot relieved now.