What Happens if You Swallow Mouthwash?

Mouthwash is commonly used in oral hygiene routines to help manage and prevent plaque, bad breath, and tooth decay.

Mouthwash products can contain ingredients that may be toxic in large quantities, so swallowing mouthwash intentionally, especially in significant amounts, is not recommended.

If you accidentally swallow a small amount of mouthwash, it is unlikely to cause harm in adults. However, it’s best to reach out to poison control if you experience dizziness, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Mouthwash is considered safe if used as directed, which is swishing a small amount around your mouth and spitting it out after 30-60 seconds. If you accidentally swallow a tiny amount on an occasional basis, it’s not likely to cause you any harm.

Still, mouthwash contains ingredients like alcohol and other chemicals, so it can potentially be toxic or poisonous if consumed—especially in a significant dose.

Mouthwash products often contain 5-27% of the ingredient ethanol (alcohol), which can lead to intoxication and other alcohol consumption-related symptoms if you swallow a significant amount.

Swallowing large amounts of the common mouthwash ingredients methyl salicylate, hydrogen peroxide, and fluoride can trigger severe gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and serious changes in metabolic acidosis (the body’s acid-base balance).

Experts recommend that children under the age of 6 do not use mouthwash. Underdeveloped swallowing reflexes at this age can make it more likely that the child accidentally consumes the solution.

Common Ingredients in Mouthwash

Many mouthwashes contain active ingredients to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis (early gum disease), plaque, and tooth decay. These ingredients can have unintended effects when accidentally consumed.

Depending on the exact type of mouthwash you select, you may notice the following common antiseptic and disinfectant ingredients on the product label, which can be harmful if consumed in large amounts:

• Chlorhexidine gluconate
• Cetylpyridinium chloride
• Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
• Fluoride
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Methyl salicylate
• Essential oils, like menthol or eucalyptol

Swallowing mouthwash has a few potential side effects, depending on the mouthwash ingredients and how much you’ve consumed.

Swallowing moderate amounts of mouthwash can lead to symptoms, including:

• Upset stomach
• Nausea or vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Slowed breathing
• Intoxication

Swallowing larger amounts of mouthwash may cause more serious side effects, such as:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Slurred speech
• Throat pain
• Unconsciousness
• Unresponsive reflexes
• Problems urinating
• Coma (in severe or rare cases)

Effects in Children

In young children, the risks of accidental mouthwash overdose can be more severe. The alcohol content in mouthwash (even in small quantities) can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and, in rare cases, death.

If a child in your care swallows any amount of mouthwash, contact their healthcare provider.

If you or someone else in your household swallows a small amount of mouthwash, it’s not likely to cause serious harm. However, there are still some steps you can take to be safe. These include:

• Rinse out your mouth with water immediately to help dilute any remaining chemicals
• Make sure the person who swallowed the mouthwash is not coughing or choking
• Do not make yourself throw up (unless a healthcare provider or poison control tells you to), as it’s possible to choke on vomit

If you or someone else has swallowed a large amount of mouthwash, immediately call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and seek urgent medical attention.

Home Treatments and Monitoring

While there aren’t specific recommended home treatments for accidental mouthwash swallowing, experts generally suggest monitoring for any symptoms to make sure the situation doesn’t progress.

After establishing that you or another person has swallowed mouthwash, remain calm and stable. If possible, stay in the presence of another adult who can help you get medical care as needed.

Try to remain awake and alert, and avoid driving or doing activities that could put you or others at risk until you’ve determined you don’t have symptoms.

You should also check the mouthwash label to see if it contains alcohol (usually listed as ethanol) and try to estimate how much you swallowed. This information might be helpful later for poison control.

If you or someone else has swallowed a significant amount of mouthwash, getting treatment quickly is important to help ensure a better outcome.

Anyone experiencing symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and trouble or slowed breathing should seek immediate medical attention.

You can reach your local poison control center by calling the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Poisoning experts can talk you through the situation and offer instructions. It’s helpful to have the following information ready so they can best advise you or emergency medical personnel:

• The person’s age and weight
• Current medical conditions or medications
• Name of the mouthwash product and ingredients, if available to you
• Time it was swallowed
• How much was swallowed

Mouthwash is safe to use as directed for oral health and hygiene purposes.

Accidentally swallowing a tiny bit isn’t a cause for concern, but consuming excessive amounts can lead to toxicity due to alcohol, fluoride, and other ingredients often found in mouthwash.

If you or someone you know has swallowed mouthwash, contact poison control and seek immediate medical care, especially for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.