What is a dental dam? How to use it and why it helps stop spread of STIs in oral sex

What is a dental dam? How to use it and why it helps stop spread of STIs in oral sex,Dental dams can be used to prevent STIs being passed on through oral sex among sexually active people

What is a dental dam? How to use it and why it helps stop spread of STIs in oral sex

Dental dams are used as a source of protection against sexually transmitted diseases carried by the mouth.

There are a number of STIs that = people who are sexually active can be at risk of catching; the most common being chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital warts.

These and other STIs can be caught through vaginal, anal or oral sex, and can be caught even if protection such as a condom is used.

Dental dams are different from condoms and are an effective source of protection against STIs when someone is performing or receiving oral sex.

Experts state that using a dental dam will reduce the risk of catching an STI during oral sex as it stops the skin-to-skin contact on a potentially infected area and prevents fluids from passing.

A number of STIs can be caught from the mouth if someone who is infected performs oral sex on the other.

Dental dams can protect people from catching STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis and HIV.

However, they do not protect someone from all STIs such as HPV, herpes and public lice as areas of the skin are still exposed which could spread the STI.

What is a dental dam?

Couple practicing safe sex — Dental dams can offer barrier protection against orally transmitted STIs (Image: Getty Images/Cultura RF)

A dental dam is a square, thin piece of latex or polyurethane sheet that is used as protection during oral sex.

They can be used during mouth-to genital or mouth-to-anus oral sex and is a way to reduce the spread of an STI.

They are an effective source of protection as they still allow for clitoral or anal stimulation to be felt through the thin piece of latex when used.

Using a dental dam reduces the risk of passing or catching an STI as it stops fluids and skin-to-skin contact.

A dental dam is used during oral sex, it is placed over a women’s genitals when receiving oral sex, covering both the vagina and anus.

It can also be used solely on the anus of either sex when performing oral sex. They are not used on the penis during oral sex as condoms are used and are a better source of protection for men during oral sex on the penis.

How to use a dental dam

You can purchase a dental dam from a number of online shops and some pharmacies also offer them.

When using one you must be careful when opening the packet to ensure you don't tear the Latex or polyurethane sheet.

Once opened, unfold the sheet and place it on your or your partner's vagina or anus area.

Close up of a couple make love hot sex on a bed. — Dental dams can be bought from pharmacies or online (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The sheet should be big enough to cover both the vagina and anus so be sure not to stretch the dam and let it naturally stick to the body.

After you have finished using the dam be sure to dispose of it in the bin. If the dam becomes crumbled up during oral sex, replace it with a new one.

Dental dams can also be made out of a new condom, by cutting both ends off and then cutting it in half to create a square piece of latex that lays flat. The condom must be latex or polyurethane in order to do this.