Welcome back to the SSIS column, where we answer any and all of Brandeis students’ questions about sex, sexuality, identity, and relationships. If you have a question you’d like answered in our next column, email ssis@brandeis.edu or leave a question in the Google Form link on the Student Sexuality Information Service Facebook page. Any and all questions are welcome: there are no bad, stupid or weird questions!
(Note: These answers are good-faith attempts by SSIS to be helpful to the Brandeis community, and are by no means exhaustive or to be taken as universal. If these answers don’t resonate with you, either pay them no mind, or reach out to us with suggestions for improvement!)
What is a dental dam?
This is a great question! A dental dam is a barrier method made of latex or polyurethane, in the shape of a square or a rectangle. It is generally used for oral sex and can be placed over a vuvla or an anus in order to reduce the risk of some sexually transmited infections (STIs).
Before using a dental dam you may want to rinse it under water to get rid of any fine powder that might be on it, but many dental dams are powder free. Dental dams are not reversible, so it can be helpful to draw a nonreversible shape on a corner to mark which way is up. Place the dental dam over your or your partner’s vulva and/or anus and hold it down without stretching it out too much. Adding some lube between the vulva/anus and the dental dam can add some extra sensation!
If you want to have safer oral sex and you don’t have a dental dam, you can make one out of a latex or polyurethane condom! All you have to do is unroll the condom, cut off the tip and the rolled end, and cut along one side of the condom. Roll out the condom, and you should have a square sheet that you can use as a dental dam. Using a flavoured condom or a warming lube can add sensation and excitement.
If you are interested in buying dental dams, we sell them at SSIS 10 for $1, along with lubes (including flavoured and sensational lubes) and condoms. If there is anything else you want to know about dental dams or safer oral sex, feel free to come talk to our members during in person and virtual office hours, or text our hotline at 586-ASK-SSIS.
