Tranexamic acid is antifibrinolytic medication that has numerous applications. It is primarily used to control bleeding – in particular heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding associated with oral surgeries. First discovered in the 1960s, tranexamic acid is now included on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines and is used regularly in clinics throughout the world. It is only recently that it has been recognized for its potential to save…

Miracle mouthwash, also sometimes referred to as magic mouthwash, is a broad term used to describe a variety of oral rinses for treating stomatitis and oral thrush. These mouthwashes are frequently prescribed for patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.  A miracle mouthwash most often contains a combination of ingredients that can include an antihistamine, corticosteroid, antibiotic, antifungal, and anesthetic. Since there are no commercially available mouthwashes with each of these ingredients,…

Oral thrush, which is due to an accumulation of the fungus Candida albicans, is the most common type of oral fungal infection. Oral thrush occurs when the fungus Candida albicans over-accumulates in the mouth and causes a white coating on the tongue. This fungus is often present in a healthy mouth but can cause oral thrush if it is not managed by the body’s normal immune response.  It is especially…

An antifibrinolytic mouthwash can be helpful for a variety of oral procedures where bleeding may be a concern. The antifibrinolytic drugs frequently used by dentists are aminocaproic acid (ACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA). In studies these drugs have been shown to significantly reduce bleeding when applied locally either as a preventative measure or a post-operative treatment. Hematologic disorders that affect the fibrolytic system can result in bleeding complications during oral…

Mouthwashes/mouth rinses are an effective way to prevent and manage oral disease, reduce plaque, make dental procedures easier, and improve healing. This method of delivery is useful because it affects the entire mouth at once and does not involve needles. There are both OTC and prescription mouth rinses available with many different uses. Some oral rinses contain anesthetic ingredients that can make hygiene visits easier. Others contain antiseptic ingredients that…