You’re probably wondering, what on earth are dental dams? So let’s answer that — a dental dam is a form of protection used during sex, more specifically oral sex. It’s a thin square or stretchy rectangular sheet that’s placed on the genitals, acting as a barrier between the mouth and the vulva or anus.
You may have seen these at the dentist’s, as they are sometimes used to isolate an area during a dental procedure. Though typically made from latex, polyurethane options are also for those allergic to latex.
How do dental dams protect me?
With the sheet, the body parts don’t come into direct contact and no bodily fluids are exchanged, protecting you both from contracting STDs such as genital herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis — examples of STDs commonly transmitted through oral sex.
However, be warned that the dental dam isn’t a ‘catch-all’ that eliminates any risk of catching an STD as there are still other diseases that can be transmitted through skin contact, like herpes and human papillomavirus.
But some protection is better than nothing at all, and the dental dam is thin enough that it won’t hinder your pleasure as the other person will be able to feel most sensations through the sheet.
Besides using a dental dam during clitoral stimulation, they are also a great segue if you’ve been meaning to try oral or anal sex, which can make some hesitant due to sanitation concerns (understandably so!).