Mouth swab drug tests for weed: What you need to know

The definitive mouth swab guide.

Mouth swab drug tests are quickly gaining popularity amongst employers who want to test their employees for THC consumption, oftentimes replacing more traditional methods of drug tests like urine or hair follicle analysis. These tests are quick, cheap, and accurate, and bosses nationwide are taking notice. These tests can produce accurate results in just a few minutes, but never fear, we’ve got your back.

To help make sure you land that big job, or keep the one you have, we’ve partnered with our friends at PassYourTest.com to give you the low down on what exactly a mouth swab drug test is, what it tests for, and even how to pass your test with ease. Relax, buddy. You’ve got this.

The quick info

🔬 Mouth swab drug tests are increasingly popular due to their quick, cheap, and accurate nature, replacing traditional urine or hair follicle tests.

🧪 These tests can detect THC and other substances like amphetamines, opioids, benzodiazepines, fentanyl, and alcohol.

🕒 Mouth swab drug tests are less invasive, easier to pass, and only detects THC within 24-48 hours after consumption.

🍔 Strategies to pass the test include abstaining from cannabis, hydrating, and eating fatty foods to bind THC molecules.

🦷 Good oral hygiene is crucial for test preparation, involving thorough brushing and flossing.

🛒  Depending on your timeline you could cleanse with a detox kit.

💧 Rinsing with water, not hydrogen peroxide or other cleaners is recommended, but time is the most effective factor in reducing THC levels.

How do mouth swab drug tests work?

Let’s start with a bit of good news; a mouth swab drug test is the least invasive method of drug testing, and the easiest to pass. Perish the thought of plucking any hair from your head or performing the humbling ritual of peeing in a plastic cup. In fact, this test will be less invasive than an at-home COVID test, the likes of which we’re all familiar with by this point. 

All you’re going to need to do on the day of your test is open-wide. Either you or the attendant performing the test will dab the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab, collecting saliva for later analysis. Frequently, the attendant performing the test will instruct you not to eat or drink anything for 10-30 minutes before the test to ensure accurate results. 

If the test needs to be sent away to a lab for further examination, then you’ll probably need to wait at least 24 hours for the results. However, most tests are able to be analyzed on-site, so you’ll probably know within the hour if you passed or failed. We’d wish you good luck, but if you keep reading this guide, you won’t need it.

What do mouth swab drug tests look for?

The range of substances detected by mouth swab tests is a big reason for their popularity. In addition to THC, mouth swab drug tests can accurately test for a whole bundle of illicit substances including but not limited to: amphetamines and opioids of all stripes, benzodiazepines, fentanyl, and even old-fashioned alcohol. If it gets you intoxicated, a mouth swab probably tests for it. 

A traditional urine analysis looks for a THC metabolite known as THC-COOH. This byproduct produced by your body when you consume THC is stored in fat cells before ultimately getting passed through the kidneys. On the other hand, saliva tests aim to detect activated THC itself. This means that if you primarily consume THC through salves or ointments that don’t pass through your mouth, you’ll be in the clear.

Additionally, consuming THC in an edible format will lessen your chances of testing positive. When you consume an edible, the vast majority of the THC is absorbed through the stomach and the digestive tract. You’ll only absorb a small amount of THC through your saliva when you chew and swallow the edible. However, this is not a foolproof method, and mouth swab drug tests are getting more accurate every day. Don’t bet your job on the gummy you had last night not having the juice to trip the test; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

How far back is a saliva test accurate?

Mouth swab drug tests will only detect THC in your saliva for between 24-48 hours after you’ve consumed your weed of choice. In most states, your employer will need to provide you with at least 24 hours before asking you to take a drug test, so if you aren’t a heavy consumer and you stop consuming THC the instant you know you’ll be tested, you should be in the clear. Obviously, the more time you give yourself between your last hit and the drug test, the better your results will be. 

The upside of the mouth swab drug test is that it can’t detect prior consumption of THC. Even if you smoked yourself halfway to Mars a week before the test, as long as you didn’t consume any THC in the few days before the test, you’ll be golden. 
The point at which the concentration of THC in your saliva will result in a failed test is known as the confirmation cutoff. We won’t bore you with all the technical specs here, but it’s important to know what the confirmation cutoff in your area is, as that will inform how sensitive your test is. This varies from state to state, so make sure you have all the information you need.

How to get the best results

You’re likely to run into a mouth swab drug test in one of two situations, one of which is certainly preferable. In the best-case scenario, you’ll have at least a day’s notice before you need to take the drug test, probably at your place of employment. In that case, immediately stop all cannabis consumption and start hydrating as much as you can. Tea, juice, coffee, soda, or anything else won’t do anything good old H2O doesn’t, and can even hamper saliva production, so stick to water. 

If you have time to prepare for your test, it’s also a great idea to take a cheat day off healthy eating and eat some greasy food. THC molecules love to bond with oils and butter, so consuming fatty food should help clean your saliva in advance of your test. 

Practicing good oral hygiene is also important for passing your test with flying colors. We don’t have to remind you to brush your teeth (right?) but make sure to be extra thorough on the day of your test. Brush, floss, and brush again. Make your dentist smile and give your mouth a good scrubbing before rinsing completely.

If you find that you don’t have much time before you need to take your test, then we have some bad news. While it’s a common rumor that rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide in advance of the mouth swab drug test can help give you an edge, a study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology found that rinsing with water gives better results, and even those results weren’t very good. The study found that subjects still had THC levels three times higher than the confirmation cutoff. By all means, rinse with as much water as you can stand, but time is your very best friend when it comes to mouth swab drug tests, so getting ambushed by a test can mean game over.  Warning: Drinking too much water is extremely dangerous.

Depending on your timeline

If you luck out and learn that you’ll be given a drug test with significant time in advance, one of the best options would be to pick up Pass Your Test’s 5-day or 10-day detox kit, depending on your weight and level of consumption. These will help speed up your body’s natural detoxification process, increasing the chances that you’ll ace your test.

FAQ mouth swab drug tests

How do mouth swab drug tests work?

A mouth swab drug test is a non-invasive method of drug testing that involves collecting saliva from the inside of your cheek using a cotton swab. The swab is then tested for the presence of various substances, including THC and other illicit drugs. The test is quick and can provide accurate results within minutes.

What substances do mouth swab drug tests detect?

Mouth swab drug tests can detect a wide range of substances, including THC, amphetamines, opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, among others. These tests are popular due to their ability to identify multiple substances accurately.

How far back can a saliva test detect THC?

Mouth swab drug tests can typically detect THC in your saliva for about 24 to 48 hours after consumption. If you are not a heavy consumer and stop using THC as soon as you know about the test, you should be clear of detection.

Can saliva tests detect prior THC consumption?

No, saliva tests can only detect THC in your system for a short period after consumption. They are not capable of detecting THC use beyond a few days. So, if you consumed THC a week before the test but stopped using it a few days prior, you should still pass the test.

How can I improve my chances of passing a mouth swab drug test? 

To increase your chances of passing a mouth swab drug test, it’s essential to stop consuming THC as soon as you know about the test. Staying well-hydrated with water is also beneficial. Consuming fatty foods before the test may help cleanse your saliva. Good oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing, can also contribute to better results.

Are there any reliable products or methods to help pass a saliva test?

PassYourTest.com offers a range of detox products designed to help individuals pass drug tests. For those with advance notice, their 5-day or 10-day detox kits can aid the natural detoxification process. For short-notice situations, they offer fast-acting cleanses, such as Clean Capsules for light consumers, Clean Shot for moderate consumers, and Fail Safe Kit for heavy cannabis consumers.

Can rinsing with hydrogen peroxide help pass a saliva drug test? 

While some rumors suggest rinsing with hydrogen peroxide may help, a study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology found that rinsing with water gives better results. However, keep in mind that time is your best friend when it comes to passing a mouth swab drug test.

How long does it take to receive the results of a mouth swab drug test? 

Most mouth swab drug tests can produce on-site results within minutes. However, if the test needs further analysis at a lab, it may take up to 24 hours to get the final results.

Are mouth swab drug tests as accurate as other methods like urine or hair follicle tests? 

Mouth swab drug tests are generally accurate in detecting recent drug use within the past 24 to 48 hours. However, they may not be as effective as urine or hair follicle tests in detecting drug use over an extended period.

Can consuming THC in different forms affect the results of a mouth swab test? 

Yes, the method of THC consumption can impact the test results. Saliva tests aim to detect activated THC, so using THC products that do not pass through your mouth, like salves or ointments, may not be detected. Additionally, consuming THC in an edible format may reduce the chances of testing positive, as only a small amount of THC is absorbed through saliva when you chew and swallow the edible.