What is "mouth alcohol" and how does it affect test results?

Mouth alcohol refers to the residual alcohol present in the mouth, which can lead to artificially inflated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) readings shortly after alcohol consumption. When a person consumes alcohol, it can linger in the oral cavity. If a breath test is conducted soon after drinking, this mouth alcohol can be inhaled and detected by devices like the Intoxilyzer 9000, resulting in higher BAC readings that do not accurately reflect the individual's true alcohol level.

This phenomenon underscores the importance of proper testing protocols, which usually include ensuring that the individual does not consume alcohol or have alcohol present in their mouth prior to taking the breathalyzer test. By allowing sufficient time for mouth alcohol to dissipate, the results will be more representative of the alcohol level that is actually in the bloodstream, rather than an inflated reading caused by residual mouth alcohol. Understanding this concept is crucial for interpreting breath test results accurately and for identifying potential issues related to the timing and conditions of the test.