Employers and organizations commonly adopt certain drug testing methods for their staff and members. Whether you have to pass a drug test to secure your dream job, participate in an activity or sports team, or comply with legal circumstances, it’s best to know everything you can beforehand.
Saliva drug testing, also known as the mouth swab drug test, is an easy, non-invasive way to test for recent drug use. It involves collecting saliva from your mouth with a few quick swabs of a Q-tip.
Saliva tests are typically used to detect the presence of THC, but this type of test can detect many other substances that are prevalent in our society today.
If you want to be prepared for a random saliva test or you have a scheduled oral test, this post provides everything you need to know about what to expect, how to prepare, and everything in between.
What is a Mouth Swab Drug Test?
A mouth swab drug test, also known as a saliva drug test or oral drug test, is a method of testing an individual for any recent substance use by collecting a sample of saliva from their mouth.
Mouth swab drug tests are typically performed in a standard lab facility or on-site using an at-home drug testing kit.
How a Mouth Swab Drug Test Works
As far as drug testing goes, mouth swab drug tests are simple to conduct and can yield results in just a few minutes. Here’s what to expect for your upcoming drug test.
- The lab personnel will insert a Q-tip or other cotton swab inside your mouth.
- They typically wait between two and five minutes to ensure the swab has enough saliva on it.
- Depending on the type of test, the sample will either be tested on-site or sent to a lab testing facility.
Substances Detected in Mouth Swab Tests
Quite a few substances can be detected by saliva drug tests, including the following:
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamine
- Barbiturates
- Cannabis (THC)
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Opioids
- PCP
- Alcohol
- MDMA
- Xanax
- Mushrooms
- Vicodin
- Oxycodone
Detection Period of a Mouth Swab Drug Test
Generally speaking, the detection window for mouth swab drug tests is between 5 and 48 hours. However, several factors can impact how long any substance remains in the system and, in turn, shows up on a saliva drug test. These include:
- The substance used
- Test sensitivity
- Quantity of the substance taken
- Frequency of use
- Person’s metabolism
This table shows the standard detection period for common substances used.
| Drug or Substance |
Detection Time in Saliva |
| Cannabis |
Up to 1 day |
| Heroin |
1 to 2 days |
| Cocaine |
2 to 10 days |
| Oxycodone |
1 to 2 days |
| Alcohol |
12 to 24 hours |
| Barbiturates |
|
| Amphetamines |
12 hours |
| Methamphetamine |
1 to 3 days |
| PCP |
1 to 3 days |
Common Scenarios For a Mouth Swab Drug Test
Individuals applying for state and federal jobs, returning to duty, or involved in legal cases may be required to perform mouth swab drug tests. Here’s why:
Pre-employment
Drug tests are often a component of a company’s hiring and recruiting process. Drug testing in the workplace is standard to ensure the safety and productivity of employees, particularly in sectors including law enforcement, security, public health and safety, medical, legal, and more. In these industries, it’s safe to assume anyone who fails the drug test would not be offered the position.
Post-incident
If you’re involved in an accident or incident while on the job, you may be required to complete a drug test after the fact. This is also the case in vehicular accidents and incidents as deemed necessary by the law enforcement involved.
For-cause
If your employer believes you are under the influence of substances and it’s affecting your work, they may require you to pass a drug test.
| Expert Tip: Use caution when drinking more water than usual, as this can lead to a diluted test, requiring you to test again and causing potential suspicion. |
Saliva vs. Urine Drug Tests & Hair Drug Testing
You may assume that a saliva and urine drug test are similar in methodology and detection, but this is inaccurate. Saliva can detect drugs like THC much faster than urine, but these substances stay in the urine much longer than the saliva.
Because of this, saliva drug tests are typically used to detect recent drug use, while urine and hair tests can more accurately detect long-term and regular use.
Passing a Saliva Drug Test
Some individuals have ample time to prepare for a mouth swab drug test and can abstain from drug use long enough that nothing will be detected. If that’s the case for you, great!
Unfortunately, many employment and legal scenarios don’t offer days to detox to pass drug tests. For these times, quality drug-testing products are critical to get the negative test results you need. Here are a few of Testclear’s effective solutions to use leading up to a mouth swab drug test.
Detox Cleansing
If you have time to prepare for your mouth swab drug test, a detoxification kit is a highly effective drug-testing solution that will rid your body of toxins from harmful substances.
Testclear’s 10-day Detox Kit is designed for a heavy user, like someone who smokes regularly or uses other substances frequently. The comprehensive system includes pre-rid tablets, a liquid detox, and dietary fiber to flush the system. This combination successfully flushes the blood, urine, and saliva of any unwanted drug toxins.
It contains herbs, minerals, vitamins, and other all-natural ingredients that will safely detox the system without causing the body any stress or harm.
| Fun Fact: Our Detox Kit begins working as quickly as one hour after ingestion! |
Detox Mouthwash
A detox mouth rinse is a special mouth rinse designed to help remove toxins and traces of drugs from the mouth.
Detox mouthwash is designed to rid the mouth of any potential detectable drug toxins before taking an oral test. Our Toxin Rid Detox Mouthwash comes in a 1-ounce bottle for quick and effective use. To use, hold one-third of the mouth rinse in your mouth and hold it for three minutes before spitting it out.
Then, repeat the last step two more times. Finally, rinse your mouth and use six breath mints of your choice. The detox mouth rinse should be used only a few minutes before the saliva drug test for best results.
SalivaConfirm Oral Fluid Screening Kit
Looking for accurate results before your test to see where you stand? Testclear’s SalivaConfirm Screening Kit provides the answers you’re looking for in less than ten minutes. This kit detects oral metabolites of five commonly used drugs and will give you peace of mind about your results before you test.
Other Methods to Help You Pass
Aside from the products mentioned above, there are a few holistic approaches and lifestyle changes you can make that may help you pass.
- Drink a lot of water to flush your body, aid in digestion, and help with bowel movements.
- Practice good hygiene — brush, floss, and gargle with mouthwash several times a day.
- Eat sour candies or chew gum right before the test. These products can change the pH levels in your saliva and even alter the concentration of toxins in your saliva.
- Dilute hydrogen peroxide and gargle with it for 60 seconds — be careful not to swallow it!
| Did You Know : Abstaining from smoking or ingesting cannabis for at least 72 hours before a drug test will help you pass. |
FAQ: Mouth Swab Drug Tests
Get all your questions about mouth swab drug tests and what to expect for your upcoming drug test answered here.
How accurate are oral drug tests?
When done correctly, saliva drug tests are extremely effective and accurate at screening for drugs. As the technology continues to improve, mouth swab tests are used more frequently for employment scenarios, legal situations, and more.
How quickly are substances detected in oral fluid?
Typically, substances are detectable in oral fluid within 30 minutes of ingestion.
How long do oral drug testing results take?
Depending on the test sensitivity, saliva drug test results can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. Many employers and legal organizations use on-site drug testing methods so they can determine recent use.
Pass Your Next Drug Test with Flying Colors with Testclear
Easily pass a mouth swab test using Testclear’s quality drug testing solutions and products! Whether you opt for a 10-day Detox Kit or our Toxin Rid Mouthwash, you can trust that you’re getting the best quality products to pass your drug test. Explore more drug test-passing products here.
If you feel like you are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, don’t hesitate to get help. You can call 1-800-662-4357 anytime to get the support you need.