"A young couple dressed warmly in coats, walking and smiling at each other in an open field with trees in the background

Mouth and throat are the gateways to the body.

It is important to keep them healthy as they play a key role in digestion, respiration and overall health.

Two young children, both dressed warmly in coats and hats, joyfully embracing and laughing outdoors in a natural setting Two young children, both dressed warmly in coats and hats, joyfully embracing and laughing outdoors in a natural setting

The mouth is the gateway to the body

Inside our mouth, there scrimmages a huge variety of different bacteria, viruses, and fungi which is called oral flora or oral microbiome. Although it is hardly or not at all invisible, it is your body’s first line of defence and also the second largest and most diverse flora after the gut flora. 

It’s a truly complex community: with around 770 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in there. Under normal conditions, they work together and form a protective barrier against pathogens. The mouth is essential for swallowing, digestion and speech, and together with the nasal cavity it also plays a crucial role in respiration.

Illustration of a human head profile showing the nasal and oral passages highlighted in blueIllustration of a human head profile showing the nasal and oral passages highlighted in blue

The throat – important for respiration and digestion

The throat microbiome is the dual passage for both respiration and digestion. It is a major and highly reliable gatekeeper against respiratory tract infections. Its condition also determines the frequency and severity of diseases such as pharyngitis and tonsilitis.

While the oral microbiome, having a strong and direct impact on overall health and wellbeing, can be involved in various conditions in the mouth, the throat microbiome serves as an indicator of respiratory health and plays an important role in the body’s overall immune defence system. You therefore surely agree that it is worth to support both the oral and throat microbiome.

Mother and two children, all wearing coats and scarves, walking hand in hand through a forested area on a cloudy day Mother and two children, all wearing coats and scarves, walking hand in hand through a forested area on a cloudy day

Sore throat often does not come alone

When we come down with a cold, we often have a sore throat. It is mostly a bacterial or viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. This is by far the most common illness in preschool children. 

A cold or sore throat can affect young children up to 6–8 times a year as their immune system is not fully developed, adults in average feel uncomfortable for 2–3 times a year. Unfortunately, such an infection can spread easily within communities or families due to close contact and shared spaces. And, of course, sore throats often don’t come alone: they are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, and sometimes difficulties in swallowing. All this happens because the oral and throat microbiome is not in balance. 

As 70% of common colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics are oftentimes inefficient, unnecessary, and can even do harm. However, if the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics, please follow all instructions

Close-up of a baby lying down, holding a pacifier, with a parent gently touching the baby's head

Practical tipps for babies

Beside professional advice from your physician, there are some measures to ease your little one’s symptoms in case of sore throat or common cold. Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure. However, there are a few things you can do.

  • Don't leave your child alone for too long and give them a bit more security than usually.
  • Go outside together for half an hour a day. Fresh air is good for irritated mucous membranes.
  • Rest is the order of the day, as sleep is the best medicine.
  • Ventilate your little one’s room regularly so that the air doesn't become too dry. 
  • Offer your child frequently liquids – water or unsweetened tea -, preferably every half hour. If you are breastfeeding, do it more often. The liquid helps to loosen the mucus and prevents the body from drying out, especially in case of fever.
  • Keep your little explorer warm to prevent a cold. Make sure they are dressed for the weather and the season as cold reduces the resistance of the mucous membranes to pathogens and a cold could develop more quickly.
Mother holding and smiling at her child in an outdoor setting, both dressed warmly in coats and scarves on a cloudy day. Mother holding and smiling at her child in an outdoor setting, both dressed warmly in coats and scarves on a cloudy day.

How to ease cold symptoms in children and adults

Firstly, please clarify if medical help is required. And, if you have a cold or someone else around you is ill, try to minimise contact as much as possible.

  • Physical rest for both body and voice can be beneficial. Try an upright position, it might be easier to breathe. 
  • Warm feet: a foot bath can be marvellous.
  • Humidify the air to prevent it from becoming too dry.
  • Hydration and warm teas – sage, chamomile, and thyme are effective herbs with natural antimicrobial effects. Boil water and leave infuse according to instruction and drink several cups a day.
  • Offer warm broths for example chicken soup, use veggie broth for vegetarians or vegans.
  • Oatmeal is easy to swallow and digest, and a good option when the throat hurts.
  • Washing hands and putting away used tissues and used crockery, towels, or toothbrushes helps to maintain a proper hygiene.
  • From 6 months supplement BioGaia Pharax containing L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and L. reuteri  DSM 17938 (Protectis) contributing to a balanced composition of the oral and throat microbiome during the acute phase and Vitamin D which contributes to a normal immune function.
Antibiotics

Antibiotics

While they can do a lot of good, antibiotics can affect the digestive system. For this reason, it’s important to give the gut some support while taking them.

Oral Health

Oral Health

We spend a great deal of time caring for our teeth, but we often forget that our mouths also contain a wealth of natural microflora that we have to pay attention to as well!

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea

As unpleasant as it can be, diarrhoea is something all adults have experienced at least once. Taking care of the gut microflora is an important element of home care for diarrhea.