The answer to whether a person can get drunk from mouthwash is technically yes, but the practice is highly dangerous and inadvisable. The intoxicating effect comes from the high concentration of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) found in many formulations. However, the risk of severe toxicity from other ingredients far outweighs any possibility of typical intoxication.
Understanding Alcohol Content in Mouthwash
Many conventional mouthwash products contain ethyl alcohol, the same type of alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits. This ingredient acts primarily as a solvent, keeping active components like essential oils dissolved in the liquid. Alcohol also contributes to the product’s antimicrobial properties, helping to kill germs.
The concentration of alcohol in these antiseptic mouthwashes is often high, typically ranging from 14% to 27% by volume (v/v). For comparison, most beers contain 4–6% alcohol, and wine is typically 12–15%. This means a standard antiseptic mouthwash can have an alcohol content similar to or higher than many distilled spirits.
The Process of Intoxication and Required Volume
To achieve legal intoxication, a person must raise their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to 0.08% in most jurisdictions. A standard alcoholic beverage, such as a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% spirit, raises the BAC by approximately 0.02%. Therefore, a person needs to consume the equivalent of about four standard drinks to reach the 0.08% intoxication level.
Given that many mouthwashes contain a potent 25% alcohol concentration, achieving intoxication requires rapidly consuming a substantial volume. This translates to roughly 9.6 fluid ounces, or about 285 milliliters, of mouthwash. This volume is nearly the entire contents of a standard 300-milliliter bottle.
The body’s natural defense mechanisms make consuming this volume extremely difficult. The highly concentrated alcohol and intense flavoring agents typically trigger an immediate and severe gag reflex. This often leads to nausea and vomiting, expelling the substance before an intoxicating dose can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Severe Health Dangers Beyond Drunkenness
The primary danger of ingesting mouthwash is the toxicity of the other active ingredients, which are harmless only when used as directed. Many antiseptic formulations contain potent essential oils and chemicals like methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, thymol, and menthol. These compounds are safe only in the minuscule amounts used for rinsing, becoming poisonous when swallowed in large quantities.
Methyl salicylate, often called oil of wintergreen, is particularly toxic. Ingesting just one teaspoon (approximately 5 milliliters) can be equivalent to consuming about 22 adult aspirin tablets and can cause severe salicylate poisoning. Symptoms include metabolic acidosis, seizures, and respiratory failure. Eucalyptol is also a significant toxin, associated with severe central nervous system (CNS) depression, coma, and respiratory compromise.
Consuming the full mouthwash formula can also cause severe gastrointestinal distress, internal damage, and liver failure. The combination of high alcohol content and these potent chemicals creates a toxic cocktail. Because of these extreme risks, individuals who swallow more than a small rinse-sized amount should contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
Safer Alternatives to Avoid Alcohol Exposure
For individuals concerned about alcohol exposure, non-alcoholic mouthwash alternatives are readily available and equally effective. These products achieve germ-killing and plaque-reducing effects using other active ingredients. Common alcohol-free formulations often utilize compounds like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or fluoride.
These alternative formulations offer a safe way to maintain oral hygiene without the risk of ingesting high-concentration ethanol. Using an alcohol-free product eliminates the need for the body to metabolize a concentrated source of alcohol. They are a practical choice for those with a history of alcohol use disorder, children, and people with sensitive oral tissues.