Fighting Back: How to Manage Throat and Mouth Infections

by Eric Bakker N.D.

When it comes to my treatment recommendations for mouth or throat infection, it doesn’t matter whether it is a bacterial or fungal infection. It is more likely to be a bacterial infection because we have many more bacteria than fungi in our mouth.

If you talk to a dental hygienist, they will mention Strep and other types of bacteria that live in and around the gums. The problem could be fungal, although fungal infections tend to on the surface rather than in the gums.

If your infection is deep in the tooth, and especially if it’s around the roots, it’s most likely an anaerobic bacterial infection. Anaerobic bacteria don’t need oxygen to survive and can be quite tough to eradicate.

Many clients that I have seen have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their throats.

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If you have an infection in your gums, you should have a dental check-up. Ask the hygienist what they can offer in terms of testing. They will often do a salivary test or a breath test to determine the type and numbers of bacteria in your mouth.

For a sore throat, rinse your mouth three times a day with a mixture of 8 ounces of water, some good quality sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of colloidal silver. It’s best to gargle after meals. Gargling with this mix will help to neutralize and cleanse the mouth.

I also recommend oil pulling every morning. Take a tablespoon of oil such as olive, sesame, or coconut. As soon as you rise, swish the oil around your mouth for three to four minutes and then spit it out. Do that for about two weeks, and the results will be amazing. The oil acts as a magnet. It pulls bacteria into the oil, which you then spit out.

Grapefruit seed extract can also help with oral hygiene. Put five drops into a tablespoon of water. Swish it around your mouth, gargle, and spit it out. Do this daily.

The combination of gargling three times a day, oil pulling every morning, and grapefruit seed extract will usually clear up a throat infection. If not, consider homeopathic remedies. You could see a herbalist and get goldenseal or Burberry, which acts as an antibiotic.

Always consider food allergies. Get checked for food allergies if you have a very sore throat that is not responding to treatment. Take dairy products out of your diet. You might also want to look at gluten, bananas, and eggs.

If you have a recurring sore throat and immune dysfunction, you could have a problem with your adrenal gland. You may need to get a salivary cortisol test to see if you have very low cortisol. If you do, that is why your lymphatic system hasn’t been able to eradicate the throat or gum infection.

Lack of sleep and stress can also contribute to chronic infections in any part of the body, including the throat and mouth.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.