It’s easy to assume that swallowing mouthwash is either no big deal or a trip to the ER. Fluoride rinse labels draw the line at the amount used for rinsing: if more than that is swallowed by accident, they say to get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Past that, it depends on how much went down, what’s in that particular bottle, and who swallowed it. A toddler who got into the bottle is a different situation from an adult who swallowed a little while rinsing.
Mouthwash is made to be swished and spit out, not swallowed. Swallowing a large amount can be harmful because of the alcohol, fluoride, and other active ingredients some rinses contain, and young children are at higher risk. If you’re not sure whether an amount is a problem, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. It’s free, confidential, and open 24/7, and you don’t need to be having an emergency to call.
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How Much Mouthwash Is Dangerous to Swallow?
There’s no single amount that’s dangerous for everyone. It depends on the product, which ingredients it contains and how strong they are, and on the person who swallowed it. How someone does depends on how much they swallowed and how quickly they get treatment.
Swallowing a large amount of mouthwash can cause symptoms like being drunk. Other signs MedlinePlus lists include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, low blood sugar, slowed breathing, and unconsciousness or coma. Don’t wait to see whether symptoms show up before getting help.
What’s in the Bottle Makes a Difference
MedlinePlus names alcohol (ethanol), chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, and methyl salicylate as the mouthwash ingredients that can be harmful in large amounts. Fluoride, found in anticavity rinses, can be harmful in large amounts too.
| Ingredient | Where it’s found | Why it matters if a lot is swallowed |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (ethanol) | Some mouthwashes | It can cause symptoms like being drunk. The main danger of alcohol poisoning is slowed breathing, and it can also cause low blood sugar |
| Fluoride | Anticavity rinses | Can be harmful in large amounts. Dangerous exposure is rare and usually involves small children |
| Chlorhexidine | Prescription-only rinses | On MedlinePlus’s list of ingredients that can be harmful in large amounts |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Some whitening rinses, at about 1.5% to 2% | A small amount of dilute peroxide usually causes milder symptoms, such as irritation or injury to the lining of the mouth and throat, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Larger amounts can be much more serious |
| Essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate) | Some over-the-counter rinses | Methyl salicylate, which is related to aspirin, is on MedlinePlus’s list of ingredients that can be harmful in large amounts |
If someone has swallowed mouthwash, keep the bottle. The product name and ingredients are among the things the poison center will ask for.
Everett, WA
Not sure which mouthwash suits your family?
A routine checkup is a good time to ask.
Why Children Are at Higher Risk
The ADA says children under 6 shouldn’t use mouthrinse unless a dentist recommends it. Their swallowing reflexes may not be fully developed, and they may swallow a large amount by accident, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and intoxication from the alcohol some rinses contain. Mayo Clinic notes that children can be harmed by even small amounts of some drugs and chemicals.
Alcohol is a particular concern. A review of alcohol poisoning in children found that household products such as mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and cosmetics can contain enough alcohol to make a child intoxicated and cause low blood sugar, and serious cases have involved seizures and deaths. Fluoride matters too: dangerous fluoride exposure is rare, but when it happens, it usually involves small children.
If your child has swallowed mouthwash, get help even if they seem fine. Call the Poison Help line, or 911 if they show any of the warning signs below.
For children who are old enough, fluoride rinse labels tell adults to teach children under 12 good rinsing habits to minimize swallowing, and to supervise them. For children under 6, the label says to consult a dentist or doctor first. Icon Dental Center sees children from 6 months old, so whether your child is ready for a mouthwash, and which kind, is a good question for their next children’s dental visit.
What to Do If Someone Swallowed Mouthwash
- Call 911 right away if the person is drowsy or can’t be woken, has collapsed, is having trouble breathing or has stopped breathing, is having a seizure, or is uncontrollably restless or agitated.
- For anything else, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, or 911. If the person is stable and has no symptoms, Poison Help is the call. It connects you to your local poison control center from anywhere in the US.
- Don’t make the person throw up unless the poison center or a doctor tells you to, and don’t try to treat it at home. Follow the instructions you’re given.
- Have the bottle with you. You’ll be asked for the person’s age and weight, the product name and ingredients, when it was swallowed, and about how much.
- If they’re going to the hospital, take the container with you.
A dental office isn’t the right call for a swallowing question. The poison center can tell you whether the amount swallowed needs treatment, and in many situations, Mayo Clinic notes, it may advise that watching the person at home is all that’s needed.
How to Keep It From Happening
- Keep it out of children’s reach. The FDA requires that warning on every over-the-counter drug label, fluoride rinses included. Store mouthwash up high or in a cabinet with a childproof latch.
- Choose a bottle with a child-resistant cap. A review of alcohol poisoning in children found that child-resistant packaging appears to have cut down on children swallowing mouthwash.
- Watch children while they rinse, and teach them to spit it all out.
- Read the label and follow its directions and age recommendations.
- Skip mouthwash for children under 6 unless your dentist recommends it.
Wondering whether your child is ready for mouthwash, or which kind to buy? Call our Everett dental office to schedule a visit. If someone has swallowed mouthwash, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 instead.
Common Questions About Swallowing Mouthwash
What happens if you drink mouthwash on purpose?
Drinking mouthwash for its alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, as with any other alcohol. A large amount can cause symptoms like being drunk, and the main danger of alcohol poisoning is slowed breathing. People with an alcohol use disorder sometimes drink mouthwash when they can’t get other alcohol. If someone has drunk a large amount, call 911. If it’s an ongoing problem, talk to a doctor.
Is alcohol-free mouthwash safe to swallow?
It still isn’t meant to be swallowed. An alcohol-free rinse can still contain fluoride or other active ingredients, and fluoride can be harmful in large amounts. The same rules apply: swish, spit, and keep it out of children’s reach.
Can you die from swallowing mouthwash?
Serious poisoning is possible when a large amount is swallowed, especially by a young child. A review of alcohol poisoning in children from household products, including mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and cosmetics, found serious effects that included seizures and deaths. How a person does depends on how much they swallowed and how quickly they get treatment, so call the Poison Help line or 911, and call 911 right away if the person is drowsy, having trouble breathing, or having a seizure.
Where a Dentist Comes In
A dentist’s part comes before any of this: whether you need a mouthwash at all, which kind suits you, and whether your child is old enough to use one. If you buy one over the counter, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. It’s an easy question to bring to your next routine exam and cleaning at Icon Dental Center in Everett.