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, miracle mouthwash can only be obtained from a compounding pharmacy.
Oral Ulcers or Canker Sores
Mouth ulcers are a common complaint from patients visiting the dentist or orthodontist. They can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, injuries from biting the cheek or lip, orthodontic devices, and more. Individuals with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to getting oral ulcers. Over-the-counter treatments are often not sufficient to both reduce pain and promote healing. Mouthwashes often contain alcohol, which tends to exacerbate oral pain from ulcers.
A miracle mouthwash made by a compounding pharmacy with diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone will be much more beneficial than one made for preventing gingivitis. These mouthwashes often also contain Maalox as a way to hold the medication in the mouth and make sure it coats all the surfaces. An antibiotic like tetracycline can be added to speed healing and prevent infection of ulcers. When tetracycline is used several times daily in a mouth rinse, pain relief can occur within 24 hours and healing of the ulcers within a week.
Oncology
Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy often result in oral mucositis, which results from a breakdown of epithelial cells in the mouth. This can lead to ulcers and inflammation throughout the mouth that make it difficult to eat and increase the risk of infection. When eating becomes painful it can lead to malnutrition and weight loss, so it is important to find a way to treat these symptoms. A miracle mouthwash can be formulated specifically for oral pain and inflammation that comes from radiation and chemotherapy. Viscous lidocaine 2% can help numb the mouth to reduce pain and can be made in a non-alcoholic mouthwash without sugar. Alcohol and sugar tend to irritate the surfaces of the mouth and make symptoms worse.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans, which leads to white patches on the tongue and cheeks. In healthy individuals, this fungus can exist in the mouth and not cause problems. When the immune system is compromised in some way, however, it can start to over-accumulate in the mouth. A miracle mouthwash can be made with antifungals to treat oral thrush and reduce pain and discomfort.
How to Get Miracle Mouthwash
Many of the drugs used in miracle mouthwashes are well-established drugs with years of clinical use and demonstrated safety and efficacy. However there are no commercially available versions of miracle mouthwash that have the necessary ingredients. That is why most miracle mouthwashes are made by a compounding pharmacy with a prescription from a healthcare provider. While miracle mouthwash itself is a combination of drugs and is not covered on its own, individual ingredients may be covered by certain insurance companies.
A prescription for miracle mouthwash is often written as parts for each ingredient. These are some good general formulations for miracle mouthwash that could have a variety of applications in treating oral pain and inflammation.