- A dental dam is just a flat sheet of latex. If you don't have one available you can create one from a condom. Just remove the tip and then cut a line up the side of the condom so that the latex lays flat.
- Dental dams are used to cover the genital area when someone is receiving oral sex. This extra barrier helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted disease between two partners that are engaging in oral sex. Dental dams are used for both oral-vaginal and oral-anal sex. Condoms can be used for protection during fellatio.
- Using a dental dam is a great way to reduce your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. These devices help prevent the exchange of bodily fluids. Dental dams when used correctly can reduce your risk of contracting genital warts, herpes and HIV.
- It is important that you use the dam correctly. First, check the dam for holes or tears. The partner who is performing oral sex should hold the dam against the partner who is receiving. Only use one side of the dam and only use it once. Remember, no sex is 100-percent safe, but this device can help you reduce your risks.
- You can find dental dams at a lot of college health centers, through Planned Parenthood or through some larger adult stores. If you cannot locate one you can always make your own using the finger of a latex glove or a condom.
- Dental dams were originally used by dentists to protect the area that they were working on from bacteria or infection. Safer sex advocates adopted the same device for safer oral sex. That is where we get the "dental" part of the name.
