What Happens If You Drink Mouthwash?

Mouthwashes are an important part of oral health, but some people may have considered drinking them. Meanwhile, others might think that drinking mouthwash is a good way to get rid of bad breath.

While mouthwash is safe to gargle, it can be incredibly dangerous to swallow. Drinking a significant amount of mouthwash can put you at risk of poisoning and even organ damage.

Let’s discuss why mouthwash is never meant to be swallowed and what you can expect if it happens.

What Happens If You Drink Mouthwash?

Most mouthwashes have several ingredients that can be harmful when ingested. Even natural mouthwash products may contain poisonous ingredients if consumed in large amounts.

They also contain alcohol, and people suffering from alcohol addiction could try to use mouthwash to get drunk. Doing so can cause serious harm.

Some of the severe risks of drinking mouthwash include:

• Alcohol poisoning or overdose — High concentrations of alcohol can induce drowsiness, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, coma, or even death.
• Fluoride toxicity — Ingesting large amounts of fluoride can cause nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, and kidney impairment.
• Chemical burns — Mouthwash can burn the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. This can lead to ulcers, internal bleeding, or metabolic disturbances.
• Long-term organ damage and failure — Ingesting large amounts of mouthwash can damage your organs, resulting in cardiovascular problems, liver disease, and blindness.
• Neurological harm — Excessive ethanol or fluoride can result in memory issues, cognitive decline, and even seizure activity.

Is Any Amount of Mouthwash Dangerous?

Accidentally swallowing a small amount of mouthwash won’t harm you. However, your stomach may feel a little upset for a short period. If you’re worried, feel free to call your doctor. 

What Should You Do If Someone Drinks Mouthwash?

If you suspect a mouthwash overdose, don’t wait for symptoms to develop and seek help immediately. If they’re experiencing an overdose, call 911 or the Poison Control Center Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222).

If you receive instructions to go to the hospital, go right away. Additionally, don’t make them vomit the mouthwash, as it can worsen the situation. 

Vomiting mouthwash can increase its absorption rate, be aspirated into the lungs, or cause chemical burns.

What is Treatment Like?

Once you’re brought to the emergency room, doctors will run some tests before administering any necessary treatments, which may include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Medications for symptoms
• Oxygen and breathing support
• Stomach pumping
• Activated charcoal for chemical absorption
• Laxatives
• Kidney dialysis for severe cases

During treatment, they may perform an endoscopy to examine the esophagus and stomach for any burns or damage. They may also use an electrocardiogram to check for heart abnormalities or a chest X-ray to identify any lung complications.

Alcohol Treatment Programs

After a mouthwash or alcohol overdose, a patient will typically undergo alcohol detoxification.

Once the detox is complete, the patient will enter long-term treatment or rehab for alcohol abuse. The end goal is to maintain long-term sobriety.

Treatment programs for alcohol abuse or addiction following an overdose include: 

• Medication-assisted treatment
• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient rehab programs
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)

Can Mouthwash Get You Drunk?

Yes, while the alcohol content in mouthwashes is used to fight oral plaque and bad breath, it can also get people drunk. For example, some Listerine mouthwashes contain 26.9% alcohol, meaning they are 54-proof.

This gives it a higher alcohol content than most wines, beers, and some liquors. Even mouthwashes with lower alcohol content can be dangerous due to ingredients not meant for ingestion.

To compare, Scope and Cepacol contain 18.9 and 14% alcohol, respectively, putting them between 37.8-proof and 28-proof.

Why Would Anyone Use Mouthwash to Get Drunk?

Mouthwash is accessible, cheaper, and has a high alcohol content. It’s also easy to hide and doesn’t have a distinct alcohol smell. 

Because of this, mouthwash can be a tempting option for people struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Statistics show that 10 to 15% of those undergoing alcohol detox in a hospital have consumed non-beverages such as mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and hairspray.

If you or someone you know is drinking mouthwash to satiate alcohol cravings, contact an addiction specialist and seek emergency medical care.

How to Prevent Someone from Drinking Mouthwash

Here are some strategies that may help you prevent someone from drinking mouthwash:

• Buy mouthwashes with child-resistant packaging.
• Store mouthwashes out of reach of children or people struggling with alcohol addiction.
• Seek alcohol-free alternatives to mouthwash such as salt water, baking soda, coconut oil, charcoal, propolis, seaweed, and probiotics.