Let’s face it: Sex education in America is flimsy at best, but with access to a whole world online at your fingertips, it’s become increasingly easy to become more educated — that is, if you know what you’re looking for.
Recently, TikTok user @junahealth released this sex ed TikTok, informing viewers that it’s totally fine to rinse your mouth out after oral sex, but advising not to brush or floss at least two hours before or after oral. The video claims that brushing and flossing will create tiny cuts in your mouth, which will allow pathogens like HIV to enter into your bloodstream.
Naturally, people were shocked:
So, I decided to talk to not one, not two, but THREE experts on the validity of this claim. First, I spoke with Rosa Topp, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, and the Director of Medical Standards Implementation of PPFA (Planned Parenthood Federation of America). First things first, she said that it’s important to understand how STIs are transmitted, and how best to protect yourself. Typically, STIs are infections that are transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Topp said, “The best way to prevent transmission of STIs is to avoid skin-to-skin contact by using a barrier method like a condom, dental dam, or latex underwear.”
Topp explained, “Bacteria and/or viruses can live in sexual fluid or on skin or mucosal surfaces, and may or may not cause symptoms in the infected person. During oral sex, if barrier methods like condoms or dental dams are not used, then that infected skin or sexual fluid can pass along the bacteria or virus to the mouth or throat of the sex partner, and an infection can grow there — which, again, may or may not cause symptoms.” This means oral STD transmission is always a possibility if you’re not using protection.
Topp said that it’s true that certain factors may increase the risk of contracting an STI during oral sex, like poor oral health and bleeding in gums. But she clarified, “There are no scientific studies that show whether these factors increase the risk of getting STIs from oral sex.”
Topp also explained that symptoms can vary depending on the STI, as well as how you were infected. She said, “Each STI and the symptoms that come with it are different. For example, gonorrhea, a common STI, is mainly spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While oral gonorrhea is less common than genital gonorrhea, it does happen and may present with different symptoms from anal or vaginal gonorrhea.” For example, symptoms of oral gonorrhea may not show up, but if they do, they might present in the form of an itchy throat.
For more information about HIV, I spoke with Dr. Stacey Rizza, Executive Medical Director for International Practice, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic. She said, “We have a very clear understanding of how HIV is transmitted. And it’s transmitted through sex, whether it’s oral, vaginal, or anal, it’s transmitted through other blood or body fluids.” She also added, “Any time somebody has unprotected sex, whether it’s oral, vaginal, anal, they are at risk of HIV infection if they don’t know their partner’s HIV status, no matter what they do.”
I also spoke with Dr. Zainab Mackie, a general dentist practicing in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Dr. Mackie said that while brushing and flossing could possibly cause microscopic cuts in the mouth, the best way to prevent this is to actually brush and floss regularly. She explained, “The healthier your gums are the more firm they are and less likely to bleed.” Dr. Mackie also added that when doing so, make sure you’re being gentle. She said, “Any vigorous flossing or brushing will create cuts.”
Dr. Mackie also echoed the previous statements by Dr. Rizza and Dr. Topp. She said, “Risk factors are unknown and/or if there was no use of a physical barrier. For example, if you don’t know your partner’s history and overall health status, then it’s best to take those extra precautions.” Dr. Mackie also said that in order to protect yourself against oral STI’s, you should visit your dentist for regular checkups and said, “It’s also important to visit your dentist to make sure there are no sores or wounds like from cheek biting present.”
…
Read More: The Internet Is Telling Everyone Not To Brush Your Teeth After Oral, So I Went