Dental Dams

About

Oral sex is one of the most intimate sexual acts partners can engage in, and an exciting part of a healthy and trusting sexual relationship. It’s often performed as part of foreplay, but it can also be the main event and something you take your time with and put a lot of effort into. Some people even prefer oral sex over penetrative sex. You might be a seasoned oral sex expert, or perhaps you want to give it a go for the first time. Either way, you’ll most likely want to do it in a safe and hygienic way. It’s possible to spread STIs (sexually transmitted infections) through oral sex , something which is often overlooked when people talk about having safe sex, so it’s important to take precuations. Many people don’t know there’s a way to reduce the risk of catching STIs during oral sex involving the vulva or anus: using a dental dam. They’re not marketed or talked about as much as condoms, but they can help both partners enjoy oral sex without risking either of your health. Read on to learn all about using dental dams for fun but safe oral sex. What is a dental dam? A dental dam is a thin sheet of rectangular or square latex (or polyurethane for those allergic to latex) which covers female genitals or the anus during oral sex to reduce the risk of catching STIs. Having this barrier in place helps prevent infections spreading from one person to another during anal or vulval stimulation. Originally designed for the dental industry to isolate a specific area of the mouth, dental dams have been repurposed for safe and hygienic oral sex. The ones used for oral sex are generally thinner than those used during dental procedures, so you need to use the correct type. As they’re made of thin material, oral sex should still be pleasurable for the receiver. Dental dams can be used with or without lubricant, and you can also choose flavoured and scented ones for enhanced pleasure. They’re only used for oral sex performed on the vulva or anus; for oral sex on a penis a condom shou