Latex dental dam - condoms by Line One Laboratories, Inc - review by Becauseiamawoman

Dental dams are like the neglected sibling of the condom. They're just as important, but don't seem to get enough play. If you're participating in oral/genital or oral/anal play, the dental dam is without a doubt one of the most important tools to keep in your safer sex kit. It is a long piece of latex that you unfold and place over the vulva or anus before you perform oral on them. This protects you from STIs that you might contract through fluids or the skin.

Since it is made of latex, it can only be used once. It's much like a condom in that manner. It's also important that you only use one side of the dental dam. If you have fluids on their respective sides and then turn it around, you are still spreading the fluids. It's also important to note that only one side is flavored. That side should be up! The sugars in the flavor can give the wearer a yeast infection, especially if they are prone them.

There are sometimes problems with the dental dam moving around too much when things get crazy. However, with some experimentation I have found that the best way to combat this is to put a little bit of lube on the underside of the latex. This tends to help it stay in place better and it also provides more sensations. It's a win-win! However, make sure you don't use oil-based lubricants. They reduce the effectiveness and eat away at latex! For an added touch, I thought using a warming or cooling lube was really awesome with the dental dam over it.

This particular kind of dental dam is without a doubt the best I've found. Comparably, it is thin and the mint flavor is better than any other flavor I've had. Beware of cola and banana flavors! The mint flavor helps to cover up the distinct taste of latex, which is something I personally find distracting and not sexy.

Since these can only be used once, a major disadvantage here is the price. However, if you're having casual oral sex with someone whose STI status you don't know it is entirely worth the two dollars. These are incredibly superior to other cheaper stand-bys such as saran wrap and cutting condoms and latex gloves. The saran wrap tends to tear easily and need multiple layers, which takes away a great deal of sensation. The condoms and glove are okay, but the area they cover is much smaller and its easy for fluids to run over them. This dental dam is thin, not likely to break, and covers a very large area.

To dispose of your dental dam, it is best to wrap it in a tissue and throw it away. This is said to help the latex bio-degrade in a landfill.

Remember, as with condoms, the efficacy of the product can vary. When you're actually down there giving oral it's easy to let the dental dam slip a little or have a lot more fluids produced than you might have expected. All of these things may make your dental dam less effective! It's important to follow the directions and make sure you use the dental dam correctly in order to keep you and your partner safe!