Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF) are substances that bind to hemopoietic stem cells, activating them to proliferate and differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages—the specific cell type of interest. Colony-stimulating factors administered in an oral rinse have been evaluated for effect to prevent and manage mucositis.