Author: Charles Frank
Saliva Drug Test: How It’s Done and What to Expect
Failing an oral drug test is typically due to recent drug use or exposure to substances that leave traces detectable in saliva. Remember, you’re just trying to get the active THC from your last smoke or edible out of your mouth and into your stomach, where no swab can swab. Good oral hygiene, like brushing twice a day, using mouth rinses and anti-cavity chewing gum after smoke sessions can go a long way to keeping your saliva clean.
Some of these home remedies are a little more tried and true than others, which amount to little more than urban legends. Some people swear by something as simple as excessive brushing and flossing. If you’re going to roll the dice with nothing but toothpaste, you’re going to want to make sure you get your tongue, gums and all the surfaces inside your mouth too. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
If the analysis takes place on-site, the results are ready within minutes. If the sample goes to a lab for analysis, it takes about 24 hours to get the results. An analysis of the sample, either on-site or in a lab, will reveal whether there are traces of specific substances present.
If your employer tries to detect alcohol, they’ll need to test sooner than they would for benzodiazepines. For example, a 6-panel oral test detects fewer substances than a 10-panel test. However, if an employee is not in a safety-sensitive position, some states restrict or question an employer’s ability to carry out random tests for substances. Therefore, businesses should be aware of their state’s specific laws before implementing a drug testing program.
Sometimes, however, you don’t have the luxury of an advanced warning. Without a heads up, like a surprise test at work or a police checkpoint can leave you vulnerable to mouth swab detection, especially if you’ve smoked recently. There are a variety of substances that a swab test can detect. Substances can be detectable in your saliva within 12 hours or 5 days. For this reason, the type of drug in question could affect which oral drug tests are ordered.
Passing a Hair Follicle Test
There are mouthwashes out there that do the same thing, but using one of those in your car might be a little less discreet. In this case, there are two reliable ways to pass the swab test. Thankfully, THC metabolites which might make their way through your saliva glands on their way out of your system aren’t going to show up on the swab test. That’s why you’re most likely to encounter them after a reportable incident at work, if you get in a traffic accident or pulled over, or at a random time on the job. Additionally, different states have different legal limits for cannabis intoxication, so tests have to fit the law. Swab tests, on the other hand, are looking for activated THC, that is, delta-9 THC.
If you doubt your test results or get a false positive, you can ask to review the test results and/or undergo a follow-up test. During the test, you’ll need to keep your mouth open to allow the technician to swab the inside of your mouth. After the test, the sample should be protected from contamination and stored properly until it can be assessed.
Would you know how to pass a mouth swab and saliva test if an officer pulled you over or your boss surprised you at work? Scroll on to learn how to face down even the latest and greatest saliva drug tests and pass with flying colors. A mouth swab drug test detects substances in a person’s system by checking for the presence of drugs or alcohol in the saliva. Another oft touted method for passing a saliva test is vinegar.
The test usually includes common drugs of abuse such as:
In other words, exactly what you’d have all over the inside of your mouth after hitting your vape, doing a dab, or just puffing on a joint.
- Secondly, keeping a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on you at work in the event of a random drug screening isn’t the most discrete option available.
- By Molly BurfordMolly Burford is a mental health advocate and wellness book author with almost 10 years of experience in digital media.
- Carrying a pack of gum is also a lot more discreet than taking shots of balsamic vinegar at work.
They must be used at a specific time before the test takes place. Finally, try to remember not to inhale or otherwise consume any weed before your mouth swab drug test. Sounds obvious, but it really is too easy to just take a quick hit of your vape without a second thought.
They are easier to carry out and much more difficult to cheat because the sample collection takes place under supervision and direct observation. People may also refer to a mouth swab drug test as an oral fluids drug test or a saliva drug test. You can pass the mouth swab test with other methods as well.
What can make you fail a oral drug test?
Several factors influence how long substances stay in the saliva. An important factor is the frequency of use and type of drugs. There are no federal laws in place to prevent workplace drug testing. The sample collection time is relatively quick, taking about 1–3 minutes.
How To Pass A Mouth Swab Drug Test With Vinegar
These ten simple suggestions provide helpful advice on how to efficiently plan. Even chewing gum and mouthwash need to be avoided at least 10 minutes before the test to ensure that the results are not tainted. Mouth swab drug tests can be used in a variety of settings, such as workplaces, probation offices, and rehabilitation facilities. It’s important to understand what separates saliva swab tests from the standard piss-in-a-cup approach to screening for weed in your system. Saliva tests offer a variety of benefits, but there are also drawbacks to this type of drug testing.
During an oral drug test, a saliva swab is utilized to collect a sample for drug presence screening. If you are still concerned about failing the test, there are a few other things that you can do. First, ensure you avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes before the test. This will ensure that no food or drink in your mouth could interfere with the test.
Comparisons with other drug tests
Inside the receptacle, attached to the lid, is an oral collection swab with a sponge tip. This guide is for anyone who’s facing or could face a mouth swab drug test or saliva drug test for weed. We go beyond the basics, offering practical advice for passing your mouth swab drug test, even if you have just 24 hours to spare. We also share the most important information about what a mouth swab drug test looks for, when you’re most at risk, and how to be prepared with little or no warning. In short, with more people consuming weed, more people are interested in testing for it, especially on the job and behind the wheel.
Fortunately, many states require employers to give employees at least a day’s notice in advance of a mouth swab drug test or other type of drug screening. Most saliva tests range from $10 to $50 or less for at-home drug testing kits. Saliva tests performed at a lab test can cost up to $60-$100. When comparing saliva and urine drug tests, no method is generally better. What is best for one situation might not be the right option for another.