A dental dam is a thin latex sheet that acts as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina or the anus. They can be very effective in preventing infections spreading from the vagina or the anus to the mouth. You can get them in different sizes, shapes and flavours, but if they aren’t available then cling film can be used as a substitute or a new condom carefully slit and opened out. Its essential to: use each dam only once and to mark it on one side so that if it falls off you know which side is which and you wont spread infection by getting it the wrong way round if it falls off rinse it first in water and let it dry naturally to get rid of the white powder (talc) on it which should not be allowed to get into the body don’t use oil based lubricants as the dam might disintegrate check it for breaks or tears by holding it up to the light to check that none gets through place it against all of the vulva or anus and hold it in place, or get your partner to hold it in place never share the same dam, never reuse one and always use separate dams if practicing oral vaginal and oral anal sex because anal organisms can cause infection in the vagina throw it away, wrapped in a tissue after use and wash your hands before carrying on. Lastly, always wash sex toys well between use.
For more information about safer sex you can contact: Brook Young People’s Information Service Tel: 0808 802 1234 www.brook.org.uk The Sexual Health Helpline Tel: 0800 567 123 www.condomessentialwear.co.uk/
