How Mouthwash (and Some Other Everyday Things) Could Get You Fired

I had a strange thought pop into my head this morning as I was gargling with mouthwash and I thought, "I wonder if the alcohol in mouthwash could cause you to fail a breathalyzer and get a false DUI?"

I decided to investigate the answer online, and the answer, as you might have guessed, is yes, using mouthwash with alcohol just prior to taking a breathalyzer test will falsely increase the BAC registered by the device. And, as it turns out, so will a few other things. NyQuil (or any other alcohol-containing medication), breath fresheners (breath sprays mostly), menthol cough drops, belching, vomiting, smoking, and even chewing gum can all artificially raise the BAC reading on a breathalyzer test.

I don't know if this stuff is common knowledge among truckers or not, but its certainly food for thought when on the road in a CMV.

I had a strange thought pop into my head this morning as I was gargling with mouthwash and I thought, "I wonder if the alcohol in mouthwash could cause you to fail a breathalyzer and get a false DUI?"

I decided to investigate the answer online, and the answer, as you might have guessed, is yes, using mouthwash with alcohol just prior to taking a breathalyzer test will falsely increase the BAC registered by the device. And, as it turns out, so will a few other things. NyQuil (or any other alcohol-containing medication), breath fresheners (breath sprays mostly), menthol cough drops, belching, vomiting, smoking, and even chewing gum can all artificially raise the BAC reading on a breathalyzer test.

I don't know if this stuff is common knowledge among truckers or not, but its certainly food for thought when on the road in a CMV.

There are many brands of alcohol-free, antiseptic mouth wash.

I use Colgate zero alcohol mouthwash. I also stay way from soaps that have alcohol. I have only seen one brand that had alcohol in it so now I check every bar before I buy.

I've been using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash/gargle for years.

It seems to be particularly helpful if a sore throat is coming on.

Ok I understand how using a mouthwash with alcohol in it could read as if you were drinking. and I'm sure there is other things that will do the same. But SERIOUSLY people ? Look most cops can smell if its mouthwash or not. And worrying if soap has alcohol in it, Is in my opinion just being paranoid. If your not doing anything wrong then don't be all paranoid. Live your life and be happy, and stay within the confines of the law.

Ok I understand how using a mouthwash with alcohol in it could read as if you were drinking. and I'm sure there is other things that will do the same. But SERIOUSLY people ? Look most cops can smell if its mouthwash or not. And worrying if soap has alcohol in it, Is in my opinion just being paranoid. If your not doing anything wrong then don't be all paranoid. Live your life and be happy, and stay within the confines of the law.

Yeah, but you've gotta remember that one positive drug test or one positive breathalyzer test is likely the end of your career for years. So it's not necessarily being paranoid. These are things you really should know when your career is on the line.

Mouthwash will not trigger a LEO intoximeter. A twenty minute observation period is required before the test is administered. During this time the alcohol in the mouth would dissipate. Then there are a series of internal calibrations and tests that would also prevent this from happening. The test pulls air from deep in the lungs -- that's why you have to blow long and slow into the machine. So, if you're talking about a LE intoximeter, mouthwash is nothing to worry about. I was a certified intoximeter operator...