The question of whether it is safe or advisable to swallow mouthwash has been debated for many years. Mouthwashes are meant to be used topically in the mouth to kill bacteria, freshen breath, and prevent plaque buildup. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, antibacterial ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils, and other additives that are not intended to be swallowed. However, some people do choose to swallow mouthwash for various reasons.
Is it Safe to Swallow Mouthwash?
Most dental professionals caution against swallowing mouthwash. Many mouthwashes contain up to 25% alcohol, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities over time. Swallowing alcohol-containing mouthwashes over an extended period may lead to health issues:
- Alcohol poisoning – Consuming too much mouthwash too quickly can cause alcohol poisoning, leading to nausea, vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, breathing difficulties, and impaired motor control
- Liver damage – The ethyl alcohol in mouthwashes is metabolized by the liver. Excessive, long-term ingestion could potentially harm the liver.
- Cancer risk – There are some animal studies linking alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk. This may also apply to alcohol ingestion from mouthwash.
- Drug interactions – The alcohol in mouthwashes could interact with medications like painkillers, antidepressants, sleep aids, and diabetes drugs.
- Addiction – Frequent mouthwash drinking may lead to alcohol dependence and addiction.
The American Dental Association (ADA) states that the occasional accidental swallowing of mouthwash is unlikely to cause harm. But ingesting mouthwash on a regular basis, especially products with high alcohol content, may put your health at risk. The ADA advises contacting the Poison Control Center if a large amount of mouthwash is swallowed.
Reasons People Swallow Mouthwash
Some of the reasons people may choose to swallow mouthwash intentionally include:
- Seeking an alcohol buzz – Swishing high-alcohol mouthwashes like Listerine (21.6% alcohol) may give some people an alcohol buzz, since the blood vessels under the tongue can absorb some of the alcohol.
- Covering up alcohol on their breath – People suffering from alcoholism may drink mouthwash to mask the smell of alcohol on their breath.
- Using it as a drink – Those struggling with addiction may drink mouthwash as an alcohol substitute if they cannot obtain alcoholic beverages.
- Hiding drinking habits – Some use mouthwash as a way to hide heavy drinking from family members or coworkers.
- Enjoying the taste – Some people enjoy the cooling, tingling, burning sensation provided by the alcohol, menthol, eucalyptus, and thymol in mouthwashes.
- Self-harm – In rare cases, people with eating disorders or suicidal tendencies may drink mouthwash as a form of self-harm.
The motivation is usually to consume mouthwash for its alcohol content and intoxicating effect in order to achieve a temporary high or satisfy an addiction.
Dangers of Drinking Mouthwash
Drinking mouthwash, even in small amounts, carries risks and dangers:
- Toxic poisoning – Ingesting mouthwash can lead to ethanol, methanol, or ethylene glycol poisoning.
- Harmful ingredients – Mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils, benzoic acid, poloxamers, and other ingredients not meant to be ingested.
- Nutritional deficits – Chronic mouthwash ingestion can deprive the body of essential nutrients.
- Gastrointestinal issues – Drinking mouthwash may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other GI problems.
- Respiratory depression – Excessive alcohol consumption from mouthwash can slow or stop breathing.
- Loss of consciousness – Mouthwash intoxication may lead to vertigo, fainting, or passing out.
- Death – Mouthwash poisoning is potentially fatal in high doses, especially if chronic.
The bottom line is that swishing and spitting mouthwash provides oral health benefits, while swallowing mouthwash to consume its alcohol content leads to safety concerns. The risks outweigh any perceived benefits.
Safer Alternatives to Drinking Mouthwash for Alcohol
For those using mouthwash as an alcohol source, there are safer alternatives to consider:
- Seek professional addiction treatment – Counseling, 12-step programs, rehab, and psychotherapy help treat alcohol abuse issues.
- Avoid alcohol triggers – Removing alcohol from one’s home and avoiding bars and liquor stores support sober living.
- Find alcohol substitutes – Consuming non-alcoholic beer, wine, mocktails, sodas, juices, or sparkling water instead of alcoholic beverages.
- Pursue harm reduction – Gradually reducing alcohol intake over time can help limit health consequences.
- Make lifestyle changes – Exercising, eating nourishing foods, finding hobbies, and making social connections all help boost mood naturally without alcohol’s use.
Recovering from alcohol addiction requires determination and lifestyle changes. Drinking mouthwash instead will continue the risky cycle of alcohol abuse and dependence. Getting professional help provides the greatest chance for overcoming addiction successfully long-term.
Signs of a Mouthwash Drinking Problem
If you or someone you know frequently drinks mouthwash, watch for these potential signs of a problem:
- Drinking mouthwash daily and/or in excessive amounts
- Obsessive focus on always having mouthwash available
- Frequently buying mouthwash from multiple stores
- Emotional changes like defensiveness about mouthwash use
- Hiding mouthwash containers around home, work, or in bags
- Using mouthwash first thing in morning to ease hangover
- Complaints about the taste or burning sensation of mouthwash
- Mouth or throat irritation from excessive use
- Alcohol on breath even right after mouthwash use
- Social, work, financial, or legal problems due to intoxication
These signs indicate it may be time to seek professional treatment for alcohol addiction and stop drinking mouthwash as soon as possible before dangerous health consequences occur. Support groups can also provide help overcoming mouthwash addiction.
Precautions if You Choose to Drink Mouthwash
Again, swallowing mouthwash is never recommended. But those who insist on doing so should take these precautions to lower risks:
- Avoid high-alcohol formulations – Choose mouthwashes with lower alcohol content.
- Limit quantity – Drink no more than one small capful per day maximum.
- Dilute it – Mix with water to lower alcohol concentration.
- Never mix with other drugs/alcohol – This increases overdose risk.
- Eat first – Consuming mouthwash on an empty stomach enhances intoxication.
- Allow time between drinks – Spacing out consumption reduces health hazards.
- Stay hydrated – Drink extra water to avoid dehydration from alcohol ingestion.
- Seek help – Tell doctors/dentists about this habit so they can provide care.
However, the only truly safe approach is to use mouthwash as directed topically without swallowing it. Discontinuing mouthwash drinking under medical supervision is always advisable.
Mouthwash Use for Minors and Pregnant Women
Mouthwash consumption poses specific risks for the following groups:
Minors
The ADA advises children under 6 years old should not use mouthwash due to potential swallowing leading to alcohol poisoning. Mouthwash is not necessary for children, as brushing and flossing provide sufficient oral hygiene. If old enough to spit it out, choose alcohol-free pediatric formulations. Always supervise child use.
Pregnant Women
The alcohol and other ingredients in mouthwash can potentially harm fetal development. Obstetricians recommend pregnant women avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Use alcohol-free versions or just practice diligent brushing and flossing instead during pregnancy.
Best Practices for Using Mouthwash Safely
When used as directed, mouthwash provides oral health benefits without safety concerns. Follow these best practices for proper mouthwash use:
- Choose ADA-accepted brands – Ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Review alcohol content – Avoid high-alcohol versions if you have temptation to drink it.
- Use properly – Swish the recommended amount for the time directed, then thoroughly spit it out.
- Wait before eating/drinking – 30 minutes minimum to allow absorption into gums/teeth.
- Don’t eat/drink right before use – This washes away the mouthwash before it acts.
- Coordinate with brushing – Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing for boosted results.
- Don’t use excessively – Once or twice daily is usually sufficient.
The key is using mouthwash topically as a short-term rinse, not swigging it like a drink. This provides oral hygiene advantages without safety issues.
Mouthwash Addiction Treatment
Like addiction to any substance, mouthwash addiction requires professional treatment:
- Detox – Medically supervised detox manages withdrawal symptoms like tremors, sweating, nausea, and anxiety safely as alcohol leaves the body.
- Rehab – Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs provide comprehensive addiction therapy and education about relapse prevention.
- Counseling – Individual talk therapy helps identify the root causes of addiction and develop coping skills.
- Support groups – 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous offer community, shared experiences, and accountability.
- Medications – Drugs like naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram help reduce alcohol cravings.
A combination of detox, rehabilitation, counseling, support, and medication provides a customized approach to treating alcohol addiction stemming from chronic mouthwash ingestion. Long-term lifestyle changes are key to maintaining sobriety.
Conclusion
While manufacturer warnings clearly state mouthwash is for short-term oral use only, some people do ingest it for its alcohol content and intoxicating effect. However, chronic mouthwash drinking poses substantial health hazards including poisoning, cancer risks, GI issues, respiratory depression, nutrient deficits, and death in severe cases. Addiction treatment combined with lifestyle changes provides the best opportunity for stopping this dangerous habit permanently and learning to live sober and healthy long-term without using mouthwash as a drink substitute. For optimal oral health, use mouthwash topically as directed without swallowing it. Ultimately, the safest choices are to abstain from drinking mouthwash at all or strictly moderate intake under a doctor’s guidance if addiction issues make abstinence extremely difficult.