Can rinsing with mouthwash cause a DUI?

[LisaR]

My DD took a teen driving course sponsored by the sheriff's department this weekend. Excellent course!!

At one point they were talking about drinking and driving and the deputy said if they rinse with mouthwash anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour before blowing in a breathalyser, they will register as a .2. A couple kids questioned this and he repeated the information so I don't think DD misunderstood. He was talking about a simple rinse with mouthwash, not guzzling the bottle. The one part I am thinking DD misunderstood is maybe they said a .02 not .2 although she insists she heard it right.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter because we don't use mouthwash with alcohol. I am just wondering if this info is correct.

 

[Disney Doll]

A lot of mouthwash contains some alcohol so this could be true.

Better off to use breath mints for fresh breath if you ar eabout to get into a car!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I believe I've read this before... that using mouthwash could result in a failed breathalyzer test. I think those Listerine strips cause wacky results too... do they even make those disgusting things anymore??

However (and I could be wrong about this, so feel free to correct me) I don't think police randomly issue breathalyzer tests. I would think they'd need to have a reason to pull you over in the first place and that you would need to exhibit signs of being impaired.

 

[momof1princess]

i'm pretty sure this was debunked on mythbusters, but it's been a long time since i saw the episode.

 

[LisaR]

I believe I've read this before... that using mouthwash could result in a failed breathalyzer test. I think those Listerine strips cause wacky results too... do they even make those disgusting things anymore??

However (and I could be wrong about this, so feel free to correct me) I don't think police randomly issue breathalyzer tests. I would think they'd need to have a reason to pull you over in the first place and that you would need to exhibit signs of being impaired.

Yeah, this was also something I told my DD. The police need a reason to give you a breathalyzer. If your car was swerving or you got out of the car stumbling around, they could administer one but if they pulled you over because you forgot to use a turn signal, I don't think they can just randomly decide to give you one.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I also think that they will administer it more than once... again, I could be wrong. But I think if the number is high due to using mouthwash, it will be significantly lower (from a breathalyzer standpoint anyway) within several minutes. I don't think that would happen if the alcohol was actually in your bloodstream.

 

[PatsMom]

I know that medications containing alcohol can show up on a breathalyzer. When I worked at the nuclear power plant I had major jaw surgery. For pain I was taking adult liquid extra strength Tylenol. I had to report to security that I was taking the medication since we were subject to random and for cause screening with a zero tolerance policy. Just made it simpler that if I was chosen I could opt for the blood test while I was taking the medication.

 

[golfgal]

A lot of mouthwashes are 10% alcohol, I could see where they would set off a breathalyser test. .02 would not be considered "drunk" so I would say that if the police are concerned it could register a .2. I don't know if that is "correct" or not but .02 isn't even close to getting a DWI.

 

[disney1990]

A lot of mouthwashes are 10% alcohol, I could see where they would set off a breathalyser test. .02 would not be considered "drunk" so I would say that if the police are concerned it could register a .2. I don't know if that is "correct" or not but .02 isn't even close to getting a DWI.

The problem is that some jurisdictions want a zero reading in those under the age of 21. If it ever happens, ask for a blood alcohol test.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

If it ever happens, ask for a blood alcohol test.

NOBODY is sticking a needle in me! Guess I'll need to change my mouthwash. LOL.

 

[Jennasis]

i'm pretty sure this was debunked on mythbusters, but it's been a long time since i saw the episode.

Mythbusters CONFIRMED that mouthwash will increase your BAC, but I do not recall to what level. They were testing to see if Mouthwash would "fool" a breathalyzer into giving a clear reading, but found it increased the reading instead.

 

[princessmom29]

Iti s true. Students at a lot of private school here have to take a breath test for school dances. If they have and alcohol in thier system, they get suspended. At DD's school, we had a girl test over the legal limit who swore she had not been drinking at all. She had used mouthwash at the restaurant after they ate dinner. They had her rinse her mouth throughly with water and wait 15 min. She tested clean.

 

[princessmom29]

A lot of mouthwashes are 10% alcohol, I could see where they would set off a breathalyser test. .02 would not be considered "drunk" so I would say that if the police are concerned it could register a .2. I don't know if that is "correct" or not but .02 isn't even close to getting a DWI.

It is if you are under 21. ANY alcohol, and you lose you liscense until 21, at least here.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

According to the Wikipedia article on breathalyzers, mouthwash WILL raise blood alcohol levels, but only for a few minutes. However, the test is supposed to be done twice at least two minutes apart, and the mouthwash should dissipate in that amount of time. Also, the test is not supposed to be administered within 15 minutes of anything leaving or entering your mouth.

 

[DVC-Don]

We always had to observe the subject in the station for 20 minutes before administering the test. Field tests are not as accurate that is why they bring you in for a more comprehensive test.

 

[momof1princess]

Mythbusters CONFIRMED that mouthwash will increase your BAC, but I do not recall to what level. They were testing to see if Mouthwash would "fool" a breathalyzer into giving a clear reading, but found it increased the reading instead.

ah, thanks, i wasn't sure which way it went. i haven't seen that episode in a LONG time.

 

[tvguy]

I worked with a guy who carried a note from his doctor because the asthma inhalers he used had alcohol in them, and a breathilizer test taken shortly after he used them would put him over the limit. The note said a retest would have to be done 15 minutes later to provide a more accuarte reading.

He is also the reason that company dropped drug testing. I guess asking him to document all the legitimate prescription medicines he was taking that could trigger a positive drug test actually violated his right to medical privacy.

 

[castmember19]

Yes, it does.

I had a family member who got a DWI when I was very young and the family needed breathalyzers in every car in the household. Whoever was driving had to breathalyze first or they could not start the vehicle.

I remember I was very, very young and this family member's spouse was babysitting me. She tried to do the test but had used mouthwash right before getting into the vehicle. She failed the test a few times and then finally had me do it in order to pass.

 

[ccstrickler]

At a training session for drug testing one of the participants volunteered for a breathalizer test. The tester used sanitizer on his hands and administered the test--it registered .05! The volunteer almost had a heart attack! The problem was the sanitizer! It had alcohol in it. Most areas use rubber gloves now.