Mouthing Off - Dr. Dick

Mouthing Off

 

Dear Dr. Dick,

 

I'm looking for a good, safe mouthwash to use--especially in orgy-situations where I tend to go down on several guys.

 

Thanks Doc!

 

-Mouthing-off

 

 

Dear MO,

 

It's great you want to keep your mouth squeaky clean. Mouthwash can help kill bacteria and germs, prevent gingivitis (irritation of the gums), and gum disease, and freshen breath. But, mouthwash WON'T stop you from getting or spreading a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if you use it before or after you go down on a hottie. 

 

If you're giving head, you're going to get friendly with sexual fluids like pre-cum and cum (if you're not using a condom), and of course anything else hanging out on the dick and balls (such as sores, bumps, or tiny breaks in the skin). You can get all the same STIs through oral sex that you can get through anal or vaginal sex, including herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papilloma virus (HPV), and HIV.  

 

The amount of risk linked with getting or giving head isn't known and varies with different STIs.  You can get or give herpes from oral sex, and most cases of genital herpes in gay men are now caused by herpes simplex virus 1---the type of herpes that lots of people have on their mouths.  Syphilis is pretty easily spread through oral sex, and some studies suggest that about 15% of infections are transmitted via oral sex. Gonorrhea in the throat is also common, and an estimated 25% of all cases of gonorrhea in the penis probably come from oral sex.  Chlamydia can live in the throat as well, but is less common, perhaps because it's hard for the bacteria to live there.  HPV can infect the throat, though it rarely causes throat cancer.  Finally, you can get HIV by giving head, though the risk is much lower than having unprotected anal sex.

 

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but it takes more than mouthwash to prevent getting or spreading HIV and other STIs. There isn't a lot known with certainty about how to stay safe while giving head, but read on for a couple of commonsense safety tips:

 

?        Avoid getting cum in your mouth

o        Getting cum in your mouth makes it easier to get an STI, especially if you have dental problems, or tiny cuts in your mouth. Finish off with your hand instead, or use an oral sex condom. 

 

?        Don't brush or floss before giving head

o        This can cause tiny tears in the tissue of your gums and cheeks. Tears provide a nice opening for sexual infections to enter.

 

o        If you want fresh breath before or after giving head, rinse or gargle with mouthwash. *Remember, mouthwash will NOT prevent you from getting or spreading an STI.

 

?        Don't give head after going to the dentist

o        Your dentist might be hot, but his dental tools can cause tiny tears in your mouth and lips.

 

?        Use an oral sex condom

o        Oral sex condoms are non-lubricated and flavored. Add some water-based or silicone-based lube inside the condom to increase sensation for your partner. Put some flavored lube on the outside of the condom to make it a juicier experience for you.  

 

o        Deep throating can hurt the tissue of your throat, which can make you more likely to pick up an STI. Use an oral sex condom if you are deep throating.

 

?        Try a dam for rimming

o        Dams are made of latex or polyurethane (for our friends who have latex allergies), and placed over the anus or vagina to shield one another from fluids, sores, and skin-to-skin contact. You can also get Hepatitis A and intestinal parasites from rimming, because you might touch feces (poop) with your mouth. Like condoms, dams should be used once, and then thrown away.

 

?        Get tested for STIs

o        Make testing a regular part of your healthcare, and make sure that your doctor tests you for gonorrhea or chlamydia in the throat.  If you test positive for an STI, connect with a medical provider right away for treatment. Having an STI can make it easier to get another STI.

 

o        Click for a list of testing sites in King County: Testing in Seattle/King County

 

?        Talk to your partners

o        Talk to your partners about what, if any kinds of protection you want to use, and the last time you were tested. It may seem awkward at first, but you might be surprised how well-received the conversation is.

 

·         Get vaccinated against HPV

o        HPV is an extremely common STI.  If you are age 26 or younger, get vaccinated.

 

 

Sexual bugs just want a warm and happy home to live in. Use care when having oral sex.

 

-Dr. Dick

 

 

 

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