Mouthwashes are one of the compounds most  frequently prescribed by dentists. They can be prepared for a variety of disorders, including  recurrent  ulcerative stomatitis, local infections, periodontitis, and chemical burns.  These mouthwashes can be compounded using a number of drugs, alone or in combination. The choice of ingredients depends upon the cause and the severity of the condition.

Mouthwash vehicles generally include syrups, but most also contain purified water. Ingredients that irritate the mucosa, such as alcohol, should be avoided when  possible.  It is   important that the mouthwash vehicle be viscous to allow the rinse to stay in contact with the mucosa for a longer period of time.  Sorbitol or xylitol may be used as a sweetening agent.  Combinations of ingredients are often used for problems such as     stomatitis (bacterial, fungal, herpetic) and mucositis (from radiation therapy to the head and neck).  These may contain antibiotic,  antifungal, antiviral and  anti-inflammatory agents, alone or in combinations.

When contact between a therapeutic preparation and lesion must be longer that that afforded by a  mouthwash, a mucoadhesive powder or oral paste may be a more appropriate dosage form. Mucoadhesive powders usually contain a hydrophilic polymer, which hydrates in contact with water, and another component that allows adhesion to the mucosa. As an alternative to powders, an oral paste may be compounded for   application inside the oral cavity. These pastes are usually anhydrous and hydrophobic in nature so saliva cannot "wash out" the medication once it is applied.*

*International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding  Vol  10 No. 2 March/April 2006