Dental dams are a barrier method — usually a small, square sheet of latex — for protection against sexually transmitted infections. While it’s rarer to contract STDs via oral sex than penetrative sex, it does happen — and dental dams can help protect you and your partner during oral-genital or oral-anal sex from infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HPV/genital warts, and HIV.
Dental dams protect by preventing skin-to-skin contact and decreasing the transmission of bodily fluids. Note that they do not prevent pregnancy — they’re used solely to reduce the risk of contracting STDs.
Dental dams are available online and over-the-counter: at adult bookstores, some drugstores, and at your local Planned Parenthood health center for $1 each.
Most dental dams are latex (take note of this if you have a latex allergy) and can be flavored or unflavored. At Planned Parenthood, we have latex fruit-flavored ones — like banana, grape, and strawberry!
They’re fun, simple to use, and easy to pack in your bag. Use a new one every time you have oral sex (keeping in place until finished), and with each new contact. Many people prefer to use their dental dams with water-based or silicone-based lubricant.
Dental dams have an approximately 5-year shelf life (make sure to check the expiration dates), but don’t leave them out in the sun — such as on your car dashboard.
Stay safe out there, and have fun.
Watch this video about what dental dams are, how to use them, and how dental dams can help protect you and your partner from contracting STDs through oral sex. Sophia is an SDSU student, Planned Parenthood patient, and Planned Parenthood volunteer.
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