Last Updated on August 15, 2022

A lot of people use mouthwash to freshen breath, reduce cavities, and fight gum disease.

But can you bring Listerine on a plane? It does contain alcohol after all.

This post is all about bringing mouthwash with you when you fly, how much you can bring, and where you should pack it.

Let’s find out.

TSA Mouthwash Rules

The Transportation Security Administration are the team that runs the airport security checkpoint in the United States. They don’t have a specific rule about mouthwash written on their website.

But here they are on Twitter answering a query about mouthwash from a passenger:

You can bring listerine or mouthwash in carry-on luggage in containers that are 3.4. ounces or less.

Your mouthwash should be packed in your one quart size bag.

You can bring multiple small bottled of travel sized mouthwash if you want, but remember space inside your transparent toiletries bag is limited.

So if you want to bring mouthwash in hand luggage then something like these travel size mouthwash bottles would work.

They contain only 3.2 fl oz per bottle so are compliant with the TSA rules for bringing mouthwash in carry-on baggage.

Here’s the problem.

It’s recommended that you use 0.66 fluid ounces of mouthwash per rinse.

So Listerine’s travel size bottles of mouthwash only contain enough liquid for 4 or 5 uses.

Depending on the length of your trip that might not be sufficient.

Listerine’s mouthwash tablets might be a better solution:

Since these tablets are not liquid you don’t need to worry about TSA liquid restrictions.

What about that alcohol? Can you bring mouthwash in checked luggage?

Ahmed asked the TSA:

You can pack a full size bottle of mouthwash in checked baggage. The alcohol content isn’t so high as to make it excessively dangerous.

Bringing Prescription Mouthwash On A Plane

What if you really need to travel with mouthwash because it’s been prescribed by a doctor or dentist.

Daniel had this exact situation:

Medically necessary liquids, including mouthwash, are allowed in carry-on bags. The containers can be more than 3.4 ounces each.

Passengers just need to alert TSA officers that they are bringing an oversize container of mouthwash for a medical reason.

Place the mouthwash in a separate bin for x-ray screening. A doctor’s note isn’t required.

So no evidence is required to prove that your mouthwash has been prescribed. You just need to say the magic words ”medically necessary liquid” and the TSA officer will screen your mouthwash individually to make sure that it really is mouthwash and not something more sinister.

My advice, don’t be a jerk. Only pack oversize mouthwash if it really is medically required.

Still Unsure? Ask The TSA

If you have further questions you can reach out to the TSA on Twitter or Facebook.

Ryan asked if he could bring an opened bottle of mouthwash for a domestic flight:

It’s the size of container that is restricted not the amount of liquid. That means you can’t bring a large bottle of mouthwash that only has 3 oz remaining in the bottle.

Final Thoughts

So you can bring mouthwash onboard your flight if it’s in a small bottle.

You bottle of mouthwash can be a maximum size of 3.4 oz if you pack it in carry-on bags.

Larger bottles of mouthwash can be packed freely in checked baggage.

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