Thread by @AsteriaWolf

I see a lot of encouragement for using protection and getting regular testing for sexual health (and that's GREAT!), but I wanted to talk about some of the things that sometimes fly under the radar, but can be just as important to sexual health and safety:

1) Good oral health is an important part of overall sexual health. Keep up with regular brushing, flossing, etc. to make sure your gums are in great shape. Healthy gums are less vulnerable to picking up infections, specifically bloodborne pathogens.

2) Know what lubes you can use where. Oil does not play well with latex or polyisoprene (Skyn), but may be fine with polyurethane (FC2, Supra). Silicone lubes do not go on silicone toys. Water-based lube is a good vaginal go-to, but can dry up too quickly for anal.

3) Nothing goes back-to-front, EVER. Not your hands, not your tongue, not a toy. Introducing rectal bacteria to the vagina or urethra can cause infections, even life-threatening UTIs and kidney infections. Save the back for last, and change covers or wash THOROUGHLY post anal.

4) Pay attention to whose genitals you are touching with which fingers/hand. You should not be going back and forth from one person to another if fluid exchange hasn't been agreed to. You also shouldn't be using the same hand or fingers for back and front play (see #3).

5) NEVER, under any circumstances, put any sugar on or near a vagina. Play with whipped cream and chocolate sauce is great, but make sure you are buying products intended for vaginal use or avoiding the genitals if you want to buy sugary products.

6) Spit is not good lube. Yes, some incidental saliva may happen during oral, but that is different from intentionally putting large amounts of spit in a position to be deeply penetrated in. Lube both works better and is safer.

7) Don't go down on her right after taking a swig of beer. The yeast that brews that beer (as well as sugar if it has it) can cause yeast infections. Plan to brush teeth or use mouthwash and drink plenty of water to clean everything out before moving from drinks to dessert.

8) Make sure you know how to properly care for your toys. Different toys have different capabilities when it comes to lube, ease of complete cleaning, and shareability between different folks. When in doubt, use covers and make sure the *whole* toy is covered.

That's it for now. I hope I've been able to teach a few folks something new today and make your sexual experiences safer and more fun. <3 <3 <3

Some others:

9) Everyone should pee as soon as possible after sex. It helps protect against aforementioned UTIs. Penis owners can get those too, even though it's rare.

10) Making sure to wipe up or rinse off soon after playtime can help flush any pathogens away and prevent their taking root. Just be sure not to use harsh cleansers, as irritated flesh is vulnerable flesh!

I know this can seem like a lot and like it could take the fun and spontaneity out of sex, but trust me, it's so much more fun when everyone knows how to do it right and doesn't have to worry as much about little things potentially ruining your week or month.

I love people adding other tips in the comments! Keep it up and spread the knowledge!

A few people have brought this one up and it's important:

1a) Regular brushing and flossing is good to keep yourself safe, but try to avoid doing it just before or just after sex so you have no open wounds in your mouth. If you must, use soft bristles and be gentle!

2a) Massage oils are *oils* and will break down latex or polyisoprene barriers. If you are using oils and plan for protected sex afterwards, do not put those oils anywhere near genitals and wash your hands completely before applying the barrier.