How To Pass A Mouth Swab Drug Test: Doctor’s Tips
“How to pass a mouth swab drug test” is a common search item on Google. This is because employers often administer drug tests to their employees.
In the U.S. workforce, 16% of employees grapple with a substance abuse order. This can bring about expensive problems for a business ranging from declining productivity and absenteeism to safety issues and an increase in healthcare costs.
In the face of such challenges, some employers opt to drug test their employees and maintain a drug-free work environment. This can be done through blood, urine, hair, and mouth swab drug tests.
Mouth swab drug tests have become more and more popular over the years. They are less invasive, easy to administer, and highly efficient in detecting recent drug usage. However, there are many urban legends and misinformation surrounding the topic of “How to pass a drug test with weed in your system”. I have compiled this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions, provide actionable tips, and help you pass a mouth swab drug test.
Why Are Mouth Swab Drug Tests So Common?
A mouth swab drug test, also known as a saliva drug test or oral fluid drug test, is a type of drug testing that utilizes oral fluid to detect substance use.
The popularity of this test stems from its convenience. A mouth swab drug test is the least invasive drug screening method as it does not entail drawing blood, peeing in a cup, or collecting hair samples. Further, this test can be completed in just a couple of minutes.
The oral swab drug test may be administered in a range of scenarios including:
- Pre-employment drug testing
- Random or periodic drug screening in the workplace
- Post-accident testing
- Roadside testing to determine if a driver is under the influence
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment programs
Understanding the Mouth Swab Drug Test
Before I get into how to pass an oral swab drug test, we need to understand better how this particular drug screen works.
There are different types of mouth swab drug tests. A single-panel saliva test will screen for one particular substance. Contrarily a multi-panel test can detect the presence of numerous drugs using a single sample.
Common mouth swab multi-panel drug tests include:
- 5-panel drug test. 5-panel drug tests are the most common type of saliva drug screening. They test for cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, and opiates.
- 7-panel drug test. In addition to the 5 classes of drugs covered by a 5-panel drug test, a 7-panel test also screens for barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
- 10-panel drug test. A 10-panel test screens for cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone.
Mouth swab drug testing is conducted in a few simple steps.
- First, a sample of the oral fluid is obtained using a collection stick with a sponge-like material on one end. This process involves swabbing the inside of the cheek or underneath the tongue.
- The test may then be interpreted on-site or sent off to a lab.
Oral fluids drug tests rely on cut-off concentrations to determine if a specimen is positive or negative for a particular substance. Cut-off concentrations refer to the amounts you can have in your system before your are considered positive for a specific substance.
Below are cut-off concentrations for substances that are commonly tested for in a saliva drug test.
| Substance | Screen Cut-off (ng/ml) | Confirmation Cut-off(ng/ml) |
| Methamphetamine | 120 | 120 |
| THC (Cannabis) | 3 | 1.5 |
| Cocaine | 15 | 6 |
| Amphetamines | 150 | 120 |
| Opiates | 30 | 30 |
| Oxycodone | 30 | 30 |
| PCP | 3 | 1.5 |
Detection Time for Different Substances
A saliva test will detect drug use within a short period of time after a substance is used. In fact, some substances may show up in your oral fluids in as few as 30 minutes after use. The mouth swab drug test is, therefore, ideal for post-accident and reasonable suspicion screening.
The actual drug detection window will vary depending on several factors including:
- The type of drug being tested
- Frequency of drug use
- The sensitivity of the test administered
- Amount and potency of the drug used
- Individual body characteristics such as age, weight, and metabolism
The frequency of drug use heavily impacts the detection time of a substance. A good example of this phenomenon is the mouth swab drug test weed timeline. THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, will stay in saliva for 1 to 3 days if you are an occasional user. However, this detection window significantly increases with chronic pot use.
In this table, I’ve summarized the drug detection window for different substances.
| Substance | Time Detectable in Saliva |
| Alcohol | 12 hours |
| Cocaine | 3 days |
| Heroin | 2 days |
| Methamphetamine | 3 days |
| PCP | 3 to 5 days |
| Opiates | 2 to 4 days |
| MDMA | 2 to 3 days |
| Amphetamines | 3 days |
| Barbiturates | 3 days |
| Marijuana | 2 to 3 days |
Attempted Tricks to Beat a Mouth Swab Drug Test
A quick search of “how to pass oral swab drug test” will generate countless solutions. While some of these remedies are backed by Science and have proven effective, others are simply myths.
The ideal solution to help you pass a mouth swab drug test will depend on the level of THC exposure. In this section, I’ll cover some tricks that would only work for very light exposure.
High-Fat Foods
THC is fat-soluble. Therefore, when you consume fatty foods, it binds to the lipids and is quickly absorbed. This lowers the amount of toxins in your mouth.
Maintaining Saliva Production
Another trick to get you off the hook from a mouth swab drug test is to stimulate saliva production. Increased saliva production will lower the concentration of THC in your oral fluids.
An easy way to maintain saliva production is by staying hydrated. You’ll want to sip on fluids such as water and herbal tea throughout the day.
Oral Hygiene
Another solution to lower the amount of THC lingering in your mouth is to frequently brush your teeth with a new toothbrush and a good brand of toothpaste. Also, pay attention to your tongue and your cheeks.
Gargling
In the hours leading up to the drug screen, simply sip water, swish it around in your mouth, and then spit it out. You’ll repeat this process frequently to dilute the toxins in your saliva.
The Most Reliable Way to Pass a Mouth Swab Drug Test
If you’ve faced the possibility of an unexpected drug screen, you’ve probably looked up “How to pass a saliva drug test home remedies.” I’ll take you through the most reliable solutions and explain how they work to help you beat a saliva test.
Sour Candies
Sour candies have proven effective against oral drug tests. The science behind this remedy is simple. Sour candies interfere with the chemical makeup of saliva by making it more acidic and sugary. This combination makes it harder to detect drugs in saliva. All you need to do is pop some sour candies in your mouth and suck rather than chew.
Chewing Gum
By chewing gum, you stimulate saliva production. When your glands produce more saliva the concentration of THC in your oral fluids is steadily lowered.
Just by having a pack of gum, you can beat an unexpected mouth swab test. If possible, opt for strong citrus flavors.
High-Fat Foods + Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
As we’ve previously discussed, active THC is fat-soluble and, therefore, it binds to fatty foods. Consuming high-fat foods will help draw out and absorb the majority of THC lingering in your mouth.
To eliminate the remaining toxins from your oral fluids you’ll need to rinse your mouth with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an adulterant, meaning that it interferes with the swab’s ability to accurately detect drugs in your saliva.
Mouthwashes to Pass a Saliva Drug Test
I’ve covered the most popular and reliable home remedies to help you get a saliva test. That being said, there are specially formulated products that are developed for the sole purpose of eliminating or masking drug toxins from the saliva.
Mouth swab drug test mouthwash is a detox mouthwash that is formulated to help users pass a saliva drug screen. Here are my top picks for the best detox mouthwashes in the market.
Toxin Rid Rescue Wash
If you ever find yourself asking “how to pass a mouth swab test in 12 hours” Toxin Rid Rescue Wash would be the answer. In fact, with this product, you can prepare for a drug screen within minutes.
Toxin Rid Rescue Wash is manufactured by Test Clear. This company has been an industry leader in the drug-testing solutions space for over two decades. Toxin Rid Rescue Wash consists of numerous ingredients including Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Mint, and Ascorbic Acid.
Instructions
- Sip a third of the mouthwash and hold it in your mouth for 3 mins. Spit it out when finished.
- Repeat step 1 two more times.
- Use 6 breath mints of your choice.
Pros
- Toxin Rid Rescue Wash is easy to use.
- This detox mouthwash is effective and reliable.
- It creates a 4-hour window where saliva is free from toxins and drug metabolites.
Cons
- At $29.95, this single-use mouthwash is not cheap.
- You may find the taste of this product to be unpleasant.
Stinger Detox Mouthwash
Stinger Detox Mouthwash is another specially formulated product that clears out toxins and drug metabolites from your mouth within minutes. It is manufactured by Stinger Detox, a renowned company behind numerous reliable detox solutions.
Stinger Detox Mouthwash consists of naturally found ingredients including Taurine, Niacin, Lysine, D-ribose, and Methylsulfonylmethane.
Instructions
- Sip small quantities of Stinger Detox mouthwash and gargle for at least one minute. Swallow after you’ve finished.
- Repeat step 1 until you’ve consumed the whole bottle of the detox mouthwash.
- Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth bfore the test.
Pros
- Stinger Detox mouthwash has proven reliable over the years.
- This vanilla-flavored detox product tastes better than most alternatives.
- It’s convenient and easy to use.
Cons
- The $34.95 price tag is on the higher end.
| Detox Mouthwash | Toxin Rid Rescue Wash | Stinger Detox Mouthwash |
| Preparation Time | within minutes | within minutes |
| Works for | 4 hours | Reaches peak effectiveness after 30 minutes |
| Size | 1Fl Oz (30 ml) | 2Fl Oz (59 ml) |
| Price | $29.95 | $34.95 |
| Where to buy | Official TestClear Store | Official Stinger Detox Store |
FAQ
How long does weed stay in your system after a couple of puffs?
THC will remain in saliva for 24 to 48 hours if you’ve only had a few puffs. However, this timeline increases significantly in the case of chronic use.
How accurate are saliva drug tests?
As long as they’re administered correctly, saliva tests offer a high degree of accuracy.
What happens if I fail a mouth swab drug test?
The consequences of failing an oral swab drug screen will vary depending on the scenario. Some employers may choose not to hire you, give you a second chance, recommend a treatment program, or even fire you.
What color does a saliva drug test turn if you fail?
A positive sample will show a single reddish-purple line in the control area only. Contrarily, a negative sample is indicated by two reddish-purple lines, one in the results region and the other in the control area.
Note that different tests may produce different hues to indicate the presence or absence of drugs.
Conclusion
Saliva drug tests have grown increasingly popular in the recent past. If you’re anticipating a drug screening, it’s only natural to be anxious and worried.
Fortunately, there is a range of solutions that can help you prepare for a saliva drug test. These range from conventional and unconventional home remedies to specially formulated detox mouthwashes. With some of these solutions working in just minutes, you can always prepare even when an oral drug test is sprung on you.
There you have it! I hope that this article provided useful insights on how to pass a drug test with THC in your system. All the best in your upcoming drug test!