How can I prevent mouth sores during chemotherapy?

I am a pediatric nurse and took care of St Jude Pts- they prescribed BMX solutions ( stands for Beneadryl- Malox- xylocaine or lidocaine . I part of each 1:1:1, you paint this on the sores 3 X daily and in 24 to 48 hours the sores are completely gone). I once had a pt. With sores completely covering the mouth, gums and tongue and we painted the mouth every hours and in 24 hours 95% of the sores were gone and by 48 hours all of the sores were gone. If your MD will will not prescribe it or your pharmacy is not a compounding pharmacy in your area you can make it but the strength of each med maybe a little weaker. Children’s liquid Benadryl- malox liquid (anything with MAGNESIUM and oragel. Equal parts of each like 1 tsp of each med. Apply as much as you like with a q-tip. NEVER DRINK THIS- if using it more than 3 times a day the oragel has lidocaine in it and too much (1 whole tube in 24 hours can cause heart arrhythmias.)

We used BMX solution for > 20 years in pediatric cancer Pts.

I did not get mouth sore. Had 16 rounds of chemo

Biotene worked well for me.

My tastebuds are totally off! I was told to keep ice in mouth during treatment. 5 down 7 to go!

My treatment center has popsicles and ice chips to eat while getting the Doxorubicin to prevent the mouth sores and I use the Biotin at home. I've had 2 of 4 treatments and no mouth sores yet.

Is BMX like “Magic Mouthwash?

Chew on ice and rinse with baking soda and water

I was on taxol and herceptin after my mastectomy. Couldn't do radiation due to heart issues. So, a lumpectomy was not an option. Taxol was horrible. Sores in my mouth, bloody nose. Sores developing from inside out. I felt like an alligator. Not to mention what it does to your nails and, of course, no hair. Couldn't eat, was tired all the time, and even water tasted terrible. Not to mention the neuropathy. My oncologist said that neuropathy should get better within a year but could be lasting. Weight loss was rapid. They stopped the taxol after 4 sessions. 3 months later, I started back on the herceptin. Every 3 weeks for 10 months. I am NED. Waiting for what I call, the poison to leave my body. It takes about 178 days or 6 months. Im dealing with my skin being very sensitive and ichy when I'm in the sun or when I get hot. I love the beach and haven't been able to go since January 2023. I miss it so much.

Used DoTerra On Guard mouth wash - very minimal to no mouth sores - never to a point I couldn’t eat.

Baking soda and salt in warm water rinse! Really helped me. But TBH wasn't eliminated completely so I had a couple of weeks with meals through straws. I can’t even look at a smoothie at this point.

I never got mouth sores so maybe you won’t either!

Me neither. I'm on Keytruda, neulastra, Cytoxan and, doxorubicin. Maybe you won't get them. I'm on my 2nd cycle. None yet. I do drink a lot of water. (1/2 gal a day) and heard this keeps away the nausea, constipation and mouth sores.

Thank you all for the replies! Since I posted the question I haven't experienced any sores yet, but now I know what to do if it comes! I am also a big water drinker, so maybe this is what helps.

Mouth sores developed after chemo and Keytruda. Last Ketruda May 15. Oncologist blaming Keytruda. Three months later, I still have the mouth sores. Water (4 c), + 1 tsp each baking soda, and salt seem to help. Rinse - spit. Using "Magic Mouthwash" like a fiend so I can drink Ensure high calorie shakes.....trying to get 1500-1600 cal a day. Add no sugar ice cream and pudding. I've lost 80 lbs. It's been a long summer.....oh, and my toenails fell off. Why don't they warn us?

Ask for a prescription of Magic Mouthwash. Nothing helped my mouth sores except that! It has lidocaine and stops the pain immediately.

Thank you, but I am using MM - see above

Orijel makes a medicated antiseptic mouthwash. My oncologist was shocked I never got mouth sores- even on AC. Gargle 2-3 times a day

Try sucking on ice chips during chemo. I've done 3 rounds of TC so far. The first round, I didn't do the ice trick and had a few sore a few days later. Rounds 2 and 3, I tried the ice and have been fine. Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste is also great for dry mouth and sensitive on sores.

Get magic mouth wash prescribed by your doctor. Also get numbing throat spray so you can try to eat. Mouth sores were the worst part of my treatment.

I didn't get mouse doors on Taxol, but I did on A/C. My pharmacy wanted like $60 for the magic mouthwash which I couldn't afford so somebody suggested I use club soda and just rinse a bunch of times throughout the day with that and that helped to get rid of my mouth sores pretty quick and it's cheap. Here's hoping that's one side effect you won't have to deal with.

Amera H What a great idea, and I will remember this. Thanks for your imput.

Alternating, Biotin and salt water after brushing. I had popsicles during infusion and 12 taxol/cab/key, have only done 1 AC treatment so far.

My oncologist gave me a prescription for something called “Magic Mouthwash”. It really helped.

Baking soda and salt water is what my pharmacist on my Onc team recommended. I use a mouth wash called Oracare, there is even a program called Oracare cares for cancer patients to get free product. Look online. I tried the magic mouthwash and did not like that it numbed my mouth but I also am not having sores or pain. (Fyi- I’m on Carbo & Taxel week #11/12 and about to start A/C next)