WARWICKSHIRE, United Kingdom – The UK’s leading oral health charity has issued a warning for teenagers who French kiss or practice oral sex, saying metal braces could scratch genital areas or tear sensitive mouth tissues.

In addition, the British Dental Health Foundation said that braces could rip a hole in a condom leaving young people open to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Chlamydia, as well as causing unwanted pregnancies.

The Foundation was following similar advice given in the US by a cosmetic dentist, who warned sexually active teenagers who wear braces that they and their partners should think carefully about the risks before engaging in oral sex.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, commented: “In this country, educators quite rightly put a strong emphasis on the importance of practicing safe sex, but the extra risk for brace wearers and their partners often gets forgotten.

“A small hole in a condom could occur without either party noticing, while brace brackets could tear delicate mouth tissues when kissing – exposing partners to HIV/AIDS risks.

“According to the NHS, over a quarter of people under the age of 16 are sexually active while the number of teenagers wearing braces has tripled in the last 20 years .

“In addition to this, more people are now wearing braces into their late teens and early twenties, making the sexual health risks even more relevant.

“I would like to see the sexual health risks posed by braces covered by teachers during sex education classes.”

SOURCE: British Dental Health Foundation

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