Condoms get most of the airtime when people talk about safer sex, but they aren't the only option and they aren't always the right fit. Oral sex on a vulva or anus has its own barrier method, and it rarely comes up in conversation. It's called a dental dam, and it's easier to use than most people expect.
A dental dam, sometimes called an oral dam, is a thin, flexible square of latex that sits between your mouth and your partner's vulva or anus during oral sex. It works by blocking skin-to-skin contact and the exchange of bodily fluids, which is how infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and HPV can be passed on. The name comes from dentistry, but a dental dam is made for sex and anyone can use one, whatever their gender.
Oral sex carries a lower risk than vaginal or anal sex, but it isn't risk-free, because STIs can be passed on through oral sex. A dental dam is the simplest way to bring that risk down, and that matters most with new or casual partners, when you may not yet know each other's sexual health history. For oral sex on a penis, a condom is the better choice.
Check the expiry date first, and store dams somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sun. Lay the dam flat over the vulva or anus before any mouth contact begins. There's no need to stretch it or press it tight, as you simply hold it in place. A little water-based lube on the side against the skin can help with sensation, though oil-based lubes should be avoided because they can break down latex.
Keep the same side facing your partner the whole time and never flip the dam over. Each one is single use, so you'll need a fresh dam every time you have sex and every time you move from the anus to the vulva. If you have a latex allergy, check the packaging, because some dams are made from alternative materials.
A latex condom, cut open and laid flat, does the same job. Choose one without spermicide, and use it exactly as you would a dam.
Dental dams can be hard to find in regular shops, so a sexual health clinic or an online retailer is usually your best bet. Many come flavoured or unflavoured, so pick whichever you prefer, and buy a few at a time so you always have one within reach.
A dental dam provides some protection rather than a guarantee, so it works best alongside regular STI testing. Testing is the most reliable way to know your own status, and it takes the guesswork out of conversations with new partners.
Raising it doesn't have to be awkward. Mention it before things get heated, or make it part of the foreplay, and treat it the same way you'd treat reaching for a condom. A dam does change how oral sex feels, so give yourselves time to experiment with lube and positioning. If a partner brushes off a clear request to use one, treat that as a red flag.
Looking after your sexual health is part of having good sex, and a dental dam is a small step that makes a real difference.
A dental dam is a thin square of latex that acts as a barrier between the mouth and the vulva or anus during oral sex. It lowers the risk of passing on STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and HPV by blocking skin-to-skin contact and the exchange of bodily fluids.
Check the expiry date, then lay the dam flat over the vulva or anus before any mouth contact begins and hold it in place. Keep the same side facing your partner throughout and use a fresh dam every time, including when moving from the anus to the vulva. Water-based lube is safe to use, while oil-based lubes can break down latex.
Yes, a latex condom can be cut open and laid flat to work as a dam if you don't have one on hand. Choose a condom without spermicide. For oral sex on a penis, use a condom as it comes rather than a dam.
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