It depends on how much you swallow. The amount of mouthwash you swallow, its content, and your individual sensitivities will all affect the results.
Every mouthwash is different. Some mouthwashes contain high levels of alcohol. The alcohol is used to kill bacteria, preserve the product and keep all ingredients dissolved. Some people abuse mouthwashes because of the high alcohol content.
Some mouthwashes may contain antimicrobials, preservatives or other chemicals that help to treat oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. These can also affect the expiration dates of mouthwashes. Overdose can cause serious health problems.
However, even natural mouthwashes can contain harmful ingredients if taken in large amounts
This article focuses on:
- What happens if you accidentally swallow small amounts of mouthwash?
- What should you do if your mouthwash is too strong?
- Side effects of mouthwash
- To get drunk, you can use mouthwash
- Summary
Can we consume mouthwash?
Mouthwash is intended to be used in the mouth, as its name implies. There is a possibility that the mouthwash could be accidentally swallowed.
The International Organization for Standardization, (ISO), defines guidelines for chemical use and safety testing.
The mouthwash was made to be sucked out and not swallowed. It is not safe to consume.
Some ingredients can be more dangerous than others. These ingredients are more dangerous than others. Here are some tips if you have swallowed mouthwash.
What should you do if you accidentally swallow some mouthwash?
It is unlikely that you will be hurt if you accidentally swallow mouthwash.
It is possible to feel mildly ill or experience diarrhea. This will usually disappear within a few hours.
We recommend the following steps to avoid accidentally swallowing mouthwash:
- Buy mouthwashes containing child-resistant caps
- To ensure that children spit out mouthwash, it is important to watch them.
- Children under 6 years old should not use mouthwash because they might have difficulty controlling their swallowing reflex.
- When using mouthwash, avoid distractions. Make sure you set aside some time to attend to your oral health routine.
What happens to your mouth if you swallow large amounts of mouthwash?
A large amount of mouthwash can cause health problems. High doses of harmful ingredients in mouthwashes could lead to health problems. These ingredients will be described in the next section.
We offer some guidelines to help you if you have swallowed a lot of mouthwash.
- Don’t try to make the person who has taken too much mouthwash vomit.
- In the next section, we will examine the label of mouthwash to see if it contains any harmful ingredients or side effects.
- Call your doctor or the emergency room. Give details about the overdose, including the name of the drug and the weight of the victim. They will offer you the best advice.
- If your symptoms are severe, call emergency services. These include dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty breathing or, in severe cases, seizures. Take the mouthwash bottle along with you if you need to visit the emergency room.
- Always consult a healthcare practitioner when in doubt.
There are many mouthwashes available and many possible ingredients. Here are the potentially hazardous ingredients. These ingredients are safe when used in accordance with directions. The most serious side effects can only occur in high doses.
Alcohol is the most harmful ingredient, often ethyl alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol
It is alcohol that has been intentionally altered to be unfit for human consumption in to discourage people from drinking it. Denaturing is the process of altering alcohol to make it unfit for human consumption. This process involves adding other chemicals. This does not affect the alcohol’s intoxicating effects. It’s actually the high alcohol content in mouthwashes that causes some people to abuse them to get drunk.
You may also react to chemicals that are added to highly concentrated alcohol. Side effects of methanol can include blindness, organ failure, damage to the nervous system, and even death.
Methyl salicylate
This ingredient can be used as an antiseptic and flavoring agent.
Rapid salicylate poisoning can be a side effect. Side effects include shortness, exhaustion and ringing in your ears. This is particularly dangerous for people who take blood thinners like Wayfairin.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as an antiseptic in mouthwashes.
Hydrogen peroxide overdose can cause stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Chlorhexidine gluconate
This ingredient is antibacterial, and is often used to treat gingivitis.
This ingredient can lead to circulation problems, high blood pressure, and heart damage. It not only kills the bacteria responsible for gingivitis but also damages the beneficial bacteria that regulate blood pressure.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural anti-cavity agent and can be found in mouthwashes.
The benefits of fluoride are generally considered to outweigh their risks. It can cause bone and joint damage in high doses. It can also cause thyroid and neurological problems. It is especially sensitive in children under 6.
Fluoride is a known neurotoxin. However, you can only overdose on large quantities of mouthwash. This is discussed in the next section.
To get drunk, you can use mouthwash
If your mouthwash contains alcohol , its concentrations will be much higher than in an alcoholic drink .
Beer typically has 5% alcohol, while wine usually has 12%. A mouthwash can contain up to 26.9% alcohol. This is higher than the alcohol content of some spirits. This means that a few milliliters of mouthwash will not make you drink more than two or three pints of beer.
Some people have taken to using mouthwash to get drunk.
As we’ve already stated, mouthwashes have been intentionally made unsafe for human consumption. Overdose of the chemicals involved in this process could lead to dangerous or even fatal side effects.
Do not drink mouthwash
- Intentionally swallowing small amounts of mouthwash is not usually dangerous, unless you have an allergy to any of its ingredients.
- Depending on the ingredients, swallowing large quantities of mouthwash can cause serious health problems.
- To avoid getting drunk, you should not use too much mouthwash.
- Children under 6 years old should be closely supervised while using mouthwashes, and they should not use them unless instructed by a dentist.
- You should notify your GP if you have swallowed large quantities of mouthwash. Please provide the name, weight, and list of ingredients in the mouthwash.
