Employers carry out mouth swab drug tests on their workers or prospective employees to discover the recent use of weed or other prohibited substances. It is common among employers in the United States to ensure that their workers undertake a mouth swab drug test or oral drug test at intervals.
This practice gives many employees who take pleasure in using either medical or recreational sleepless nights. However, owing to this situation, many employees are caught between a rock and a hard place of ‘’how can I pass a cotton swab drug test’?’’ flushing my body of all forms of THC?’’ “how long does THC stay in your saliva drug test” and ‘’how can I do so within a limited time?’’
When it comes to testing for drug use, the urine drug test is the most common form of drug test because it can test for the use of THC in the system that has been consumed as far back as three months. However, the mouth swab drug test is sometimes used for weed and other prohibited substances recently consumed. because saliva drug test detection time for THC is limited. And there is the best product to beat this test – Toxin Rid Detox Mouthwash.
Although under most state laws, cannabis has been widely legalized, this, however, does not erase the fact that companies and organizations can carry out drug tests from time to time. Many companies perceive the use of cannabis on a job as having a similar effect as drinking while on a job.
Therefore, many employers prohibit the use of weed and other related substances to maintain the safety of the workplace. Again, constant testing for the use of banned substances should prevent employees from working under the influence.
Mouth Swab Drug Test
This is also called the oral fluid test, and it is carried out by collecting saliva samples from your mouth for screening for the presence of THC. This form of drug test, although recently introduced, is fast gaining ground because it is easy to administer, the result is instant, difficult to tamper with, and it is also cheaper to conduct drug tests, among other benefits.
A Mouth Swab drug test can also screen for weed and detect the use of alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines, opioid, amphetamines, and other substances. You should note that the mouth swab is majorly used to screen for ‘’active THC’’, which is still present in your mouth after a recently smoked cannabis.
The mouth swab test can be used interchangeably with the saliva test as there is no striking difference.
How does this drug test method work?
With a mouth swab test, you should expect your drug test result within a few minutes after the test. This is possible because, in the mouth swab drug test, the drug residue present in the sample collection will be drawn to the antibodies, thereby revealing the presence of THC in the body. Wondering about the mouth swab drug test detection period? Keep reading
What makes the mouth swab test unique is the process involved in collecting the sample. There is no need for needle poking or forcefully getting urine in the pee cup. It is the least invasive form of testing for the use of prohibited substances. The mouth swab is done by following these simple steps.
- To be precise, a collection stick is put in the mouth inside the cheek. The stick has an absorbent pad that soaks the saliva.
- Once the sample has been collected, it is analyzed. The analyses can be carried out in a lab or on-site.
Before your mouth swab test, much preparation is not required. However, you would be asked not to eat or take any drink a few minutes before your test in most cases.
If a drug is found in the sample collected, the lab will send your sample to the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry lab to verify such a result.
What are the Pros and Cons of Mouth Swab Drug Test With Other Drug Test Methods
| Pros | Cons |
| It is capable of detecting THC residue that is still alive in your saliva. | It cannot screen for cannabis metabolites that have escaped into your system, unlike the urine or blood drug test. |
| It is cheap and efficient, unlike urine and blood which involves a lot of technicalities and are also expensive to conduct. | Oral swab drug test for THC detection time is short. It cannot detect the presence of illicit substances exceeding 72 hours. Urine drug tests have a detection window of three months. |
| It is not invasive when compared to blood drug tests, i.e., no need for needle poking for a blood sample. | It is impossible to measure the level of drug exposure. |
Employers that Use Mouth Swab Drug Tests
After the brief discussion on a mouth swab drug test, you also need to know the employers that are most likely to conduct a drug test.
Although most companies usually have their drug test policy in place, considering how easy and quick it is to carry out an oral swab drug test, most workplaces usually opt for this screening method.
A drug test is common in state parastatals, particularly national security and law enforcement, whose responsibility is to protect lives and ensure safety. Also, a drug test is regularly conducted in the transportation department to ensure that employees are not operating under the influence of any substance.
In most states, a drug test is usually agreed upon by unions to which an organization belongs. Owing to this, a drug test is to be carried out following the guideline of such a union.
Regular testing for drug abuse among employees plays an integral role in adopting mouth swab drugs as the most used method for screening for substance abuse. As a result, employers who are keen on preventing the use of marijuana are quickly turning to this method.
When Will An Employer Call For A Mouth Swab Drug Test?
There are different situations in which an employer might choose to carry out a mouth swab drug test to screen for weed. Here are some instances when will be requested to carry out a mouth swab drug test:
- Random Screening — this usually occurs at the interval when your employer randomly picks an employee for a drug test with little to no prior notice. Although, it is expected of the employer to disclose the possibility of a randomized drug test. The procedure for notice for a drug test differs from state to state only to the extent where such notification is allowed.
- Pre-employment — Most companies have a policy that necessitates drug testing for prospective employees before employment. This test aims to take the necessary measure of preventing the employment of an employee who abuses drugs.
- Post-incident – This usually occurs when an incident has happened at the workplace, and it is conducted to determine the extent of liability that will accrue. This test aims to discover whether the use of drugs by such employees is the leading cause of such incidents.
- Background Test – this test is carried out at employment or before promotion. This is to discover if an individual has a track record of substance abuse.
- Reasonable suspicion – a drug test can also be conducted at will on reasonable suspicion that an employee might be working under the influence of a substance.
You will also discover that the police force also uses mouth swabs for roadside drug test when an individual is suspected to be driving under the influence of weed.
Federal and State Laws on Drug Tests in the Workplace 2023
There are federal and state laws that regulate drug testing, and it is important to be aware of these laws in order to avoid any legal issues.
Federal drug testing rules are administered by:
- the Drug-Free Workplace Act
- the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Drug-Free Workplace Act covers federal government agencies, federal contractors with contracts or purchase orders totaling $100,000 or more, and recipients of federal grants. The Act does not require alcohol or drug testing, but testing is authorized as a means to maintain a drug-free workplace.
The DOT drug testing rules cover employers in the air, rail, trucking, and mass transit industries, and employers with operations otherwise covered by DOT. These rules require the testing of employees in safety-sensitive positions for alcohol and illegal drug use.
In addition to federal laws, there are also state laws that regulate drug testing in the workplace. There are currently 15 states with no pre-employment drug testing laws, meaning their policies are effectively the same as the federal law. These states include Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Marijuana legality is also a hot-button issue in drug testing laws, with many states legalizing its use. As of 2023, there are 21 states where medical and recreational marijuana use is legal and 16 states where only medical use is legal. In these states, testing positive for marijuana use will often not be an issue unless the industry or employer calls for a clean test. However, if you are in one of the 13 states where marijuana is still illegal, it’s important to be mindful of whether or not you have marijuana in your system when taking a drug test.
How to Pass A Mouth Swab Test For Weed
Before you go for your mouth swab test, you need to know what the test will be looking for. To be safe, if you will have a mouth swab drug test in the coming days, it is best to dump smoking a couple of days before your drug test. It is believed that smoking even cigarettes days before your test might hamper your test. This is because smoking generally opens your taste bud and causes exposure to more THC.
The most asked question among people exposed to weed is how long does thc stay in the saliva drug test? “How to Pass a Mouth Swab Test For Weed” is one of the top requested questions. It is safe to say that THC does not stay in your saliva for a long time. The longest weed particles can stay in your saliva gland is for a couple of days. However, a lack of oral hygienic practices, such as failure to brush your teeth, might cause it to stay for a couple of days.
What makes the mouth swab test easy to beat is that THC metabolites that escape into your body system through your saliva gland will not be seen in your mouth swab test. This is because the particles that escape into your body system are not what the mouth swab test is looking for.
Useful Tips
The easiest procedure to pass your mouth swab drug test is to practice outstanding oral hygiene once you get notice of your drug test. This will help you flush any lingering weed particles from your mouth. As a result, it is advisable that you brush your teeth up to 4 times daily until your test day. You should also carefully brush your tongue, gum, and your cheeks.
To pass your mouth swab drug test, you should place yourself on a rich-fat diet. THC is a fat-soluble capable of absorbing fat and converting it into THC COOH. While this might help you pass your drug test, you should know that your fat cell would be vulnerable to THC-COOH. You can make use of Swish water to flush your mouth. Chewing ice can also break down the THC in your saliva into undetectable amounts.
How to pass an Oral Swab Drug Test Coming Up In The Next Few Hours
In a situation where you are not given prior notice of your drug test, and you find out on the very day you are to carry out a drug test, no need to be scared. The best you can beat your mouth swab drug test a few hours /minutes before your test is by adulterating your saliva.
The leading adulterant you can use is hydrogen peroxide. Recently, a company that saw a business opportunity in the use of adulterants started producing chewing gum that is rich in hydrogen peroxide. This is a much more discreet way to flush your mouth with THC residues.
The adulterant works by interfering with the sample collected and serves as a masking agent. Although they are detectable, however, some new adulterants can help you beat your mouth swab test undetected. However, you should note that these adulterants can only keep your mouth cleansed for a few minutes. Therefore, it is best used only in case of emergency.
Home Remedies to Pass a Saliva Drug Test
Vinegar
You can drink vinegar to flush your mouth of THC residue. All you have to do is to get the process right. However, drinking vinegar does not come without its challenges. It has some serious side effects such as stomach upset, nauseous feeling, indigestion, and not to mention its bitter taste, which makes most people avoid it.
Cranberry Juice
Although it is not a 100 percent detoxification agent, cranberry justice can help you pass your mouth swab test. It will help you wash your mouth and excrete all forms of THC from your system. However, it is advisable that you make use of other detox programs with your cranberry juice.
Goldenseal
Another natural remedy to pass your mouth swab drug is goldenseal. Although this product cannot be easily detected to pass your drug test, it is not easy to get. So, just like other natural remedies, it does not guarantee success on your drug test.
How To Pass Your Mouth Swab Test Using Detox Kits
There are several detox products you can use to pass your mouth swab test. Here we will examine a couple of detox products you can use to pass your drug test.
Stinger Detox
Stinger Mouthwash Detox is one of the leading detox products used to pass mouth swab tests. What makes this product stand out is that it is ingestible. In addition, it is rich in amino acids, niacin, and a reasonable amount of sugar.
There is a mixed reaction to the potency of this detox product based on reviews from various online stores. However, if you have little cash to spare, you can give it a try.
Pros
- Owing to its composition, you can swallow it.
- It has a detailed prescription on how to use
Cons
- It has several negative reviews.
- If you fail to follow the steps on how to use it, this product might not help you pass your mouth swab test.
Toxin Rid Rescue Wash Mouthwash
Toxin Rid is an outstanding detox brand. They have various detox kits, which also include mouthwash. With the Toxin Rid Detox Mouthwash, you stand a higher chance of acing your mouth swab drug test for weed.
When it comes to detox kits, it is advisable that you strictly follow the usage instructions stated in the leaflet. Again, if you have underlying medical conditions, you should be careful of these products. Lastly, avoid overdose. You are to follow and use measures according to a physician’s instructions.
Pros
- It is easy to use and effective
- You can get it at their online store
- It is undetectable and untraceable
Cons
- There are strict instructions you have to follow before use
- If you have an underlying medical condition, you should not use this product.
- It is expensive, and it is not 100 percent guaranteed that you will pass your drug test using this product.
FAQ
What can a mouth swab drug test for?
A mouth swab drug test can detect the presence of several drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines.
Is coffee compatible with mouth swab drug tests?
Coffee consumption does not interfere with the results of a mouth swab drug test.
What color does a saliva drug test turn if you fail?
If you fail a saliva drug test, the color indicator on the test strip will turn red or blue, depending on the specific test used.
How far back will a mouth swab drug test go?
A mouth swab drug test can detect drug use from the past few hours up to two days.
Can I pass a mouth swab if I smoked the night before?
It is possible to pass a mouth swab drug test if you smoked the night before, but it depends on several factors, such as the frequency of use, the potency of the drug, and your metabolism. Additionally, there are several products and methods described above that can help you increase your chances of passing the test, such as mouthwash, detox drinks, or natural remedies like cranberry juice or apple cider vinegar.
Final Thought
The mouth swab test is fast becoming the go-to drug test for screening for weed and other prohibited substances. At the same time, people find their way to beat this test and ace their mouth swab test by following some basic processes. You can also pass your mouth swab by seeking out the best method for you. The mouth swab test detection period is limited, therefore, you stand a higher chance of passing this type of test if you practice excellent oral hygiene.
You should note that no means of passing your test is 100 percent guaranteed. You should understand what works best for you and stick to it. Hydrogen peroxide and Toxin Rid Detox Mouthwash are your best chances to pass your mouth swab drug.
