Sex Ed 102 Beginners Guide: Dental Dams

Sex Ed 102 Beginners Guide: Dental Dams For Safe Oral Play

If you’re exploring ways to keep oral play both safe and pleasurable, dental dams might be a perfect addition to your routine. Many people know about condoms as a method of protection, but dental dams are an equally important tool, especially for oral play involving the vulva or anus.

While they may be new to some, dental dams are simple, easy to use, and can provide peace of mind by reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without taking away from intimacy. In this guide, we’ll dive into what dental dams are, how they work, and offer helpful tips and options for anyone looking to add this effective barrier method to their safer sex practices.

What Are Dental Dams and How Do They Work?

A dental dam is a thin, flexible sheet of latex or polyurethane that acts as a protective barrier between partners during oral sex. Originally designed for dental work (hence the name), dental dams were adapted for sexual use to provide an effective shield that minimizes skin-to-skin contact and helps prevent the transmission of STIs. When used correctly, a dental dam covers the vulva or anus, keeping bodily fluids and potential infections at bay. They come in a range of flavors, colours, and materials, making it easy to find an option that feels comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.

How to Use a Dental Dam

Position the Dam: Place the dental dam over the area you intend to engage with during oral sex, ensuring it covers the area fully. It’s best to use a new dental dam every time and with each new partner or area.
Hold it in Place: Keep the dental dam steady with your hands to prevent it from slipping, or have your partner help hold it in place. Make sure not to flip it over during use, as this could transfer bacteria to the other side.
Apply Lubricant for Comfort: Water-based or silicone-based lubricant can be applied to the side of the dental dam that makes contact with the body. This helps keep the dam in place and enhances sensitivity by allowing it to move more fluidly.
Dispose of the Dam Properly: After use, simply throw the dental dam away in the trash. Dental dams are single-use only, so don’t reuse them.

Options Available: Choosing the Right Dental Dam for You

Dental dams come in a few different options to accommodate various needs and preferences:

Latex Dental Dams: The most common and affordable option, latex dams are thin, stretchy, and provide an effective barrier against STIs. They’re available in multiple flavors to add a bit of fun to the experience.

Non-Latex (Polyurethane) Dental Dams: These are a great alternative for those with latex allergies. Polyurethane is a body-safe material that still provides excellent protection, although they’re usually a bit less stretchy than latex options.

Flavored Dams: Flavoured dental dams can make oral play more enjoyable by masking any taste or smell of the material. Available in a variety of flavors, they’re a nice way to add some fun to your experience.

Whether you’re looking for something ultra-thin, flavoured, or hypoallergenic, there are options to make sure your dental dam experience feels comfortable and satisfying.

Alternatives

If you’re unable to find dental dams in your area and/or don’t feel safe shopping online keep in mind that there are other options available: plastic saran wrap from your kitchen can serve as an effective dental dam, condoms work well too – simply cut off the tip, cut down the side, and spread the condom using your hands over the exposed area (you’ll also have quite a few more flavor options if you use flavored condoms).

Lorals Barrier Underwear

Another option are Lorals underwear which offer a unique, comfortable option for safer oral play. Lorals are single-use, ultra-thin latex underwear designed to act as a barrier, allowing for pleasurable sensation while reducing STI transmission risks. These disposable panties cover the vulva area completely, creating a smooth layer that can be more discreet and secure than a handheld dental dam.

Lorals come in different styles, such as bikinis or briefs, and can be a game-changer for anyone who wants a hands-free barrier option that feels more natural. With their stretchy, form-fitting design, Lorals offer a comfortable, close fit that moves with the body, making them ideal for people who find standard dental dams cumbersome or less effective during movement. Plus, they can be paired with lubricant on the external side, just like traditional dental dams.

Choosing the Right Lubricant

When using dental dams, lubrication is key to comfort and enhanced sensation. Applying a small amount of lubricant to the body side of the dam reduces friction, makes the dam feel smoother, and can enhance pleasure for both partners.

Using flavoured lubricant can be a fun addition when using dental dams or barrier products like Lorals underwear. Not only can flavoured lube make the experience more enjoyable by masking the taste of latex, but it also adds a bit of variety to the experience, allowing for playful exploration of flavors. Flavoured lubes are specifically designed to be safe for oral use, ensuring that they’re non-toxic and easy on the stomach if ingested.

Generally speaking, water-based lubricants are a popular choice as they’re compatible with both latex and polyurethane dental dams. Silicone-based lubricants are also safe to use and offer a longer-lasting glide, though they may be slightly harder to wash off. If you’re using silicone lube you’ll want to make sure not to use it on the side your licking as it’s not meant to be ingested. Avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can weaken latex and create holes in the dam, reducing its effectiveness.

The Bad

When it comes to the down side of using dental dams there are a few things to consider:

Reduced Sensations: Due to the thickness and type of material you choose, they may limit sensation and feel foreign. The best way for me to put it is to think of sex without a condom verses sex with a condom. Granted, condoms have come a long way and are now being manufactured to feel as close to the real thing as possible, but still. It just doesn’t feel the same as skin on skin contact.

No Free Hands: Because dental dams move around as you offer stimulation to your partner they need to be held in place during use, which can make things feel a bit less spontaneous. This can also be a bit distracting or tricky to manage, especially for beginners.

Not Big Enough: Depending on your body they might not be long/wide enough for the exposed area. Using two could be a bit awkward when it comes to keeping them in place. In this case I’d suggest saran wrap.

Single-Use: As with most barrier methods, dental dams should be disposed of after each use, meaning you’ll need a new one for each session or partner.

Availability: While growing in popularity, dental dams are less common than condoms, so it may be easier to find them online or in specialty stores.

Final Thoughts

Dental dams are an empowering tool for safer oral play, giving you a way to protect yourself and your partner without sacrificing pleasure or intimacy. With various options, flavors, and materials, dental dams offer flexibility for everyone, whether you’re just starting or experienced.

By using a little lubricant and taking time to get comfortable, you’ll find that dental dams can fit seamlessly into your routine, providing both peace of mind and pleasurable experiences. Whatever you and your partner enjoy, dental dams make it possible to explore safely, so you can focus on connecting and creating memorable moments together.

If you’d like to get your hands on dental dams be sure to check out my favourite online sex toy stores be it SheVibe, Babeland, SexToy.com, or my own online store, ShopSexEd102.com. Don’t forget to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best prices available.

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