Susan: 'grind you down'. What a horrible pun! Seriously, is there any way the dentist or your gp can culture the area and find out what the infection will respond to?? Seems logical somehow, but I've never heard of a dental infection culture. Dental infections are always serious because of, as Taz said, the anaerobic aspects are the real troublesome issues. I feel so badly for you and CLKD and others. Do you do salt water and peroxide rinses. Peroxide does go down and gets the more superficial anaerobes (where the peroxide can get below the gum line). 3% peroxide (in US) is used as a gargle and I've done it a thousand times - never swallow. I use salt water when I am not using peroxide - not used together.