How to Use a Dental Dam for Safe Oral Sex

Dental dams are thin pieces of latex that you can use to reduce the chance of spreading sexually transmitted diseases during oral sex--either vaginal or anal. Follow these steps to learn how to use a dental dam for safer oral sex.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Open the package and rinse the dam of any powder that may be on it.
2. Check the dam for perforations or holes.
3. Hold the dam against the vagina or the anus of the partner.
4. Use water-based lubricant if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Dental dams come in a multitude of colors and flavors, so get creative.
• Contrary to popular beliefs, there are many STDs that can be transmitted through oral sexual contact.
• Never use a latex dental dam with an oil-based lubricant. The oil-based lubricant will destroy the latex.
• Use one side of the dam only, and do not use a dam more than once or on different parts of the body, such as on the anus and then on the vagina. Use a new one every time.