Dental dams

Corrie Clapsaddle contraception, sexual health, STIs, vagina and vulva

What are dental dams? The unsung heroes of oral sex!

When people hear the term “safe sex,” their thoughts usually jump to condoms. As they should – condoms have a 98% success rate of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when used consistently and correctly. Plus, there are so many different types to choose from! However, there is another barrier method of contraception that deserves recognition: dental dams.

Dental dams are sheets made out of latex or polyurethane that act like a barrier during oral sex, between a person’s mouth and another person’s vagina or anus. Just like condoms, they protect against contracting STIs that are passed through bodily fluids. They come in different colours, sizes, materials, and flavours. They also have their own set of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’.

Do:

Store them in a cool, dry place
Read the directions and expiration date on the packaging
Check that there are no tears or defects before using it
Make sure the dental dam is lying flat to cover the vaginal opening or anus, and that it remains in place until finished
Dispose of it in the bin once it has been used

Don’t:

Try to make your own dental dams from materials like cling film, which have not been proven to protect against STIs
Reuse a dental dam
Stretch the dental dam too wide, because this can tear it
Use oil-based lube or products like baby oil/petroleum jelly, which will cause tears or holes for bacteria to pass through
Flush dental dams down the toilet, as this can cause clogging

Where to get dental dams

Unfortunately dental damns aren’t as easy to find as condoms, but you should be able to get them at most sexual health clinics for free. It’s worth ringing up beforehand to check, just in case!

Another option is to get creative and make a dental from a condom:

Content warning: the video refers to queer women and lesbians, but the info is also relevant to having safe oral sex, whether that’s vaginal or anal sex. This isn’t just about women! And our genitals don’t dictate our gender identity.