Can gum get rid of a breathalyzer? law scrgruppen

There are a lot of rumors about how chewing gum affects alcohol test results. Some people believe that chewing it before taking a breath test will help mask the smell of alcohol, helping to lower their blood alcohol concentration. Others believe that the artificial sugars in gum contain alcohol, thus making them appear drunk, even if they are completely sober. So what is the truth? Here’s what science says about whether chewing gum can get you a DUI or beat the charges.

Does gum contain alcohol?

Sugarless gum contains up to 75% polyol, a type of alcohol It is sometimes called a “sugar alcohol.” However, this type of alcohol is not the same as the ethanol found in wine, beer, and spirits. Breathalyzers test for the presence of ethanol, and while some chemicals (such as acetaldehyde and acetone) can be confused with ethanol and cause results to be artificially high, polyols cannot.

Can gum make you fail a breathalyzer test?

No, because the polyols found in chewing gum are not the same as the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages. Research confirms It will not cause your BAC level to appear artificially high on a breath test.

Does gum help with alcohol testing?

Maybe, but not in the way most people assume. Masking the smell of alcohol with flavored gum will not mask the alcohol vapors deep in your lungs. If you’re drunk, chewing gum won’t magically lower your blood alcohol level. but, Gum can help you produce more saliva, which may help you swallow any alcohol trapped in your mouth. Since alcohol in the mouth can sometimes artificially inflate your BAC levels, this will likely help lower your alcohol test result.

Can you chew gum before a breath test?

Not in the 15 minutes before the breathalyzer is administered. Police are supposed to monitor DUI suspects for 15 minutes before taking a breath test to make sure they don’t vomit or burp, because these activities can cause alcohol to enter the mouth from the digestive tract and artificially cause breathalyzer test results. high. Officers are unlikely to allow the suspect to chew gum during this period.

Chewing gum before the 15-minute period will be useless, as most people naturally drool enough to rinse the alcohol in the mouth into the digestive system. However, if you suffer from dry mouth, wear dentures, or have deep pockets in your gums due to gingivitis, oral alcohol will likely not be eliminated during the officer’s probation period. In this case, chewing gum beforehand can help with the breath test. Be careful of chewing gum, especially mint-flavored gum, when a police officer stops you because he or she may suspect that you are doing so to mask the smell of alcohol on your breath.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence or have further questions about how gum may affect your breath test results, please call Peter M. Liss at (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free consultation.