Long story short, I'm getting a new car. The car, for insurance purposes (and personal health reasons), has an alcohol interlock on it. For those of you unfamiliar with the device, it's like a breathalyzer that you have to blow into at random times while driving. If the interlock registers anything other than 0.00, it won't start. Also, if it detects your BAC has changed while driving, it will immediately begin sounding an alarm, the incident will be documented on the device (which gets sent to the insurance company at the end of each month) and the car won't stop making noise and flashing lights until it's turned off or until the device registers 0.00 again. This is in an attempt to prevent drivers from driving under the influence and to discourage drinking while driving.

Now I don't do either of these things, so I don't need to worry, right? Wrong. I found out tonight that my mouthwash is actually 8% alcohol content, and would therefore register on a BAC test. I'm an avid brusher/flosser/rinser as well as whitener, which leads to my dilemma. To avoid car trouble (and accidental violation due to my obsession with dental hygiene), I need a new, whitening and alcohol-free mouthwash. Can anyone suggest a good brand of alcohol-free whitening mouthwash?

I know it seems like this should be the lease of my concerns, but it's the only one I have, seeing as how I NEVER drink and drive, and don't use any sort of alcohol if there is even a remote chance I will have to drive somewhere, but it never even occurred to me that mouthwash contains alcohol.

I plan on getting this car in 3 days, so I do have time, but I'd like to do some research and see what sort of brands you all would recommend before I go out and buy something that isn't going to work.

Ummm, I have no idea why you're car has a breathalyzer on it- I have never heard of this for insurance reasons. But ok, doesn't matter I suppose:
ACT Fluoride Rinse Anticavity Alcohol Free Mint is an Alcohol free brand. There are many others. Just do a google search or look at your local grocery store. There are many brands that have an alcohol-free version and these aren't hard to find.

I think more and more brands are being made without alcohol. Just look at the ingredients list. It all probably say Alcohol Free somewhere on it too.

www.crest.com . . .

It says all of these are alcohol free.

@madseason Because my insurance company is making a conscious effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents, so by offering the interlock on my plan, I get a lower premium because I'm considered a less at-risk driver. I chose this because of not only the reduced premium, but also because I've struggled with alcohol use and am also making an effort to be a safe and responsible driver.

One of the girls at work has interlock on her car... hubby got a dui. Its a pain and if you dont legally need one i would advise against it.

Fyi breathmints and gum also set it off according to workmate.

I use Crest Vivid White and it's alcohol free, I just checked the bottle.

I use ACT alcohol free anticavity mouth wash. However, I also chew Orbit gum and Llama is right, it contains 1% sugar alcohol.

Also, it's not just when you start the car, but while you are driving? How much time does it give you? to pull over in a safe place? To me that seems really dangerous.

My boyfriend uses Listerine Total Care Zero; it has no alcohol in it.

3% peroxide.

I also use Listerine Zero. (zero alcohol)

I too would advise against it if you don't legally need it. A friend's ex boyfriend had to have one in his truck because he got a DUI, and the damn thing broke constantly. Not only was it always broken, but he was responsible for paying to have it fixed each time, and I believe there was a monthly service charge. It just seems like way too much of a hassle to me.

It comes on a couple of times on her way home from work (she has to pull over), and it's a pain in the backside.

If you have to drive for a few hours it's going to be going off every half hour.

Is it worth the inconvenience to save a few bucks? I know you said there was slightly more to it, but if you can learn not to drink when you are driving, it might be better than just putting a bandaid on the problem.

I know you are set on going with it and just be prepared for the inconvenience. You are going to be humming and blowing several times a day into that thing.

There are a lot of non-booze things that can set it off like peanut butter, red bull, gum, mints, bread, hot dog buns, donuts... To me it sounds like more frustration than it's worth.

Plus who is to say that you (I'm not saying you would) wouldn't have someone else blow into it for you.

Tom's makes a natural mouthwash that is alcohol free.

No personal experience with installed breathalyzers or alcohol-free mouthwash. But I wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU for trying to take control of your alcohol use! If you do decide to skip the installed breathalyzer on the car -- my friend got herself a pocket breathalyzer to use for personal verification before she drives after drinking. That way, she can still be responsible, but the car isn't stopping for everything she's eaten.