At Truth and Laughter Dentistry, we practice holistic and integrative dentistry, grounded in the understanding that oral health is inseparable from the health of the nervous system, immune system, and entire body.

Across faith traditions, the body is not seen as merely mechanical, but as a sacred creation—designed with an innate capacity to heal when supported with care, balance, and mindfulness.

Healing Wisdom Across Faith Traditions

In the Qur'an, Allah takes an oath by the fig and the olive before speaking of humankind as the pinnacle of creation:

"By the fig and the olive… We have certainly created man in the best of stature." (Qur'an 95:1–4)

Years ago, my physician, Dr. Claudia Cooke, shared an insight that stayed with me: the olive tree is among the most resilient of trees. It is said to be destroyed only by fire or lightning. It can withstand bacterial and viral assaults because it has the ability to self-medicate—one reason olive leaf extract has long been used in integrative medicine.

This reflection brings deeper meaning to the verse itself. The divine oath by the fig and the olive, followed by the mention of humankind, invites contemplation: just as these plants were created with healing properties, the human body was designed with God-given mechanisms for restoration and balance.

This understanding is echoed across other faith traditions as well. In the Torah, God declares: "For I am the Lord, your Healer" (Exodus 15:26), establishing healing as a divine attribute and promise. In the New Testament, believers are reminded that "your body is a temple" (1 Corinthians 6:19), emphasizing the sacred responsibility to care for our physical form with reverence and intention.

Across Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, healing is understood as both divine and embodied—supported through nourishment, rest, mindfulness, moderation, and peace.

In our practice, we often witness how honoring the body's innate wisdom—when supported holistically—can lead to profound recovery. Recently, a patient shared his journey of healing from long COVID, and with his permission, we want to honor his experience and share it for anyone who may benefit.

A Patient's Experience With Long COVID and Whole-Body Healing

One day, a patient came into our practice for amalgam removal, often sought by individuals pursuing a more holistic approach to dental care. During our conversation, he shared his experience with long COVID and the profound toll it took on his nervous system and daily life.

At the height of his symptoms, he told me he could not even move a computer mouse. Over time, through patience and careful attention to his body, he gradually recovered and now reports being close to his normal self.

With his permission, his account is shared below as written, with minor edits for clarity.

Patient Email (Shared With Permission)

I've never done any of these things before. I was always just a healthy person. I never went to a doctor; I was never sick and I've never taken any medications or supplements. But since I got COVID and my system went crazy, I looked into everything. These are some of the things I've done that I felt were helpful:

1. I ate very basic food for a long time (chicken + rice), because my body was reacting to everything. I went gluten-free, kept dairy to a minimum, minimized sugar, etc. Over time I slowly reintroduced foods as my body was able to handle them. But for a good year my body would react to like 90% of foods.

2. Meditation and mindfulness. I had to eliminate stress as much as possible. At the peak of not feeling well, everything would set me off—even watching sports or seeing other people argue would be too much for me. Even positive excitement was not good, as my system couldn't handle anything.

3. I spent a lot of time listening to podcasts to calm my brain down. Listening to Dr. Howard Schubiner and other mind-body experts was very helpful because I've come to believe that a lot of my symptoms were driven by a nervous system that was out of control for whatever reason. There is a YouTube channel called "Pain Free You" which was an excellent resource for me. This is a guy named Dan who posts free 10-minute videos every day. Listening to those helped me feel a lot better.

4. I started taking anti-inflammatory supplements like vitamin D, zinc, and turmeric. I started drinking green tea and just tried to eat healthier overall. I stuck with that even now that I'm feeling way better.

5. I made a conscious effort to go out in the sun for at least 30 minutes every day. I felt like that helped a lot too. I always felt better after being in the sun and spending time outside during the day. I'm prioritizing my sleep now. I try to go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every morning. I had horrible insomnia for like a year. Thankfully, my sleep is back to normal now.

Not sure if there was one thing that helped more than others, but I'm pretty sure all the things I listed above were helpful in some way. I tried doing a lot of other stuff, but didn't feel like those things really did much for me.

Another thing I wanted to try was the Wim Hof breathing method. I've done it a few times, but I can't tell if that helped or not. But I definitely want to explore doing that now that I'm at 90% of my normal self to see if it will help get rid of the remaining lingering symptoms. Some people swear by it.

Good luck with everything!

Reflections From a Holistic Dental Perspective

From an oral-systemic and holistic dentistry standpoint, this patient's journey highlights principles we observe daily in clinical practice:

• Nervous system regulation and oral health: Dysregulation can contribute to jaw clenching, TMJ symptoms, gum inflammation, heightened pain sensitivity, and delayed healing.
• Inflammation is systemic: What affects the immune system, gut, sleep, and stress response also affects oral tissues.
• Healing requires safety, not force: The body heals best when supported gently and consistently, rather than pushed aggressively.

Gentle Medical Disclaimer

This story is shared for educational and reflective purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. The information shared here reflects one individual's personal experience and should not be interpreted as treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other condition. Each individual's health journey is unique, and care should always be guided by qualified healthcare professionals. Always consult with your physician or healthcare provider for medical concerns.

Closing Reflection

Faith traditions remind us that healing ultimately comes from God, yet we are entrusted with caring for the body we have been given.

In holistic dentistry, we witness daily how supporting the nervous system, reducing inflammation, and honoring the body's rhythms can lead to profound improvements—not only in oral health, but in overall well-being.

With gratitude to this patient for sharing his journey, we hope this story offers insight, reflection, and hope to others walking their own path toward healing

At Truth and Laughter Dentistry, our philosophy is simple: the mouth is the gateway to the body. That’s why we are thrilled to announce a new collaborative program with Rahav Wellness, designed to support patients seeking safe amalgam (mercury) filling removal. This program combines the SMART protocol for amalgam removal at Truth and Laughter Dentistry with peri-amalgam removal detox support at Rahav Wellness—creating a comprehensive path for healing that is initiated with dental care and your smile.

What’s Included in the Collaborative Program

1. Pre or Post-Removal Assessment & Oligoscan

• Oligoscan Testing (requires blood type) – $150
  Provides a detailed picture of heavy metal load and mineral balance, guiding personalized detox support either before or after your amalgam removal.

2. IV Clearance & Supplement Support

• 30-Minute IV Clearance Visit with one of Rahav Wellness’ NP clinicians – $250
  Includes safe mercury detox supplement suggestions.
  Optional deeper clinical relationship for expanded labs and personalized protocols.
  Baseline suggested labs: CBC, CMP, and thyroid function tests.

3. Intravenous Detox Support

• PC Push (phosphatidylcholine) – $110
• Glutathione Push (600 mg) – $100
  Available as IV push or in a slower-drip bag, depending on patient needs.
  Designed to bind and eliminate toxins safely.

Total Initial Investment: $610
(includes a supplement guide with a foundational metal detox protocol, adaptable to your Oligoscan results).

Ongoing Support for Continued Healing

Detox is a process—not a one-time event. Patients may choose to return for follow-up Oligoscans monthly or bimonthly to track their progress and refine their protocols.
Additional wellness offerings at Rahav Wellness include:

• Ion Cleanse Foot Baths ($60 standalone, also stackable with other therapies)
• Colonics
• Coffee Enemas
• Ozone IV
• Thermography
• Neural Therapy

Many of these therapies can be stacked together—for example, pairing a PC + glutathione IV push with a foot bath and colonic—to optimize detox results.

Why This Matters

Removing mercury safely is only the beginning. With integrative support, patients can:

• Reduce toxic burden more effectively.
• Restore cellular and organ function.
• Feel supported holistically in their healing journey.

A Shared Mission

Together, Truth and Laughter Dentistry and Rahav Wellness are committed to providing our community with safe, science-based, and compassionate care. From the dental chair to whole-body detox, our collaboration empowers patients to take charge of their health—initiated with dental care and your smile.

Contact us today for scheduling the SMART protocol, and we will cross-refer you to Rahav Wellness for peri-amalgam removal detox support. Or, if you prefer, you can reach out to them directly at rahavwellness.com.

New York never fails to amaze me.

It’s not just the skyline, the chaos, the rhythm of ambition that impresses me anymore. What continually takes my breath away are the quiet giants of the human spirit—the remarkable individuals whose stories unfold in the most unassuming ways and places. Yesterday, one of those stories unfolded in my dental chair.

A young woman came in with a dental emergency. Her crown had fractured, and she had found us through a quick online search for same-day crowns. On the surface, it seemed like a routine case. But as we talked, I learned she was far from ordinary. A recent medical school graduate from London, she was taking a gap year to explore the world before starting her journey as a doctor. A healer in the making, exploring the world.

While my CEREC machine worked steadily to craft a custom zirconia crown—perfectly matching her tooth in shade and bite—she shared snapshots of her journey: the gleaming salt deserts of Bolivia, the majestic glaciers of Patagonia. The landscapes were breathtaking, but what truly moved me was her family’s journey.

Her parents met as young asylees in France, having fled the violence of Sri Lanka's civil war. Her father, a Hindu, worked as a chef, her mother, a Christian, as a waitress. They met in an asylum school while learning French, seeking not just a new language, but a new life. Racism and discrimination in France eventually led them to London, where they found more acceptance and stability. Decades later, here was their daughter: poised, accomplished, and deeply compassionate, traveling the globe with the humility and curiosity of someone who knows the value of freedom and peace.

As she sat in my chair, she wasn’t just another patient. She was a testament to the resilience of human spirit.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. We were addressing a dental emergency, but the moment felt anything but clinical and relevant for all times. Her journey was the eternal story of human triumph against the odds of civil war, migration and integration.

The Bigger Picture: Dental Emergencies and Public Health

According to the American Dental Association, approximately 2 million hospital emergency department visits in the U.S. each year are due to dental pain. These visits cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $1.7 billion annually . 1 .Many of these emergencies are preventable with regular dental care, yet for many Americans, dental visits are daunting.

What’s even more troubling are the disparities:

• Women aged 21 to 34 make up the largest proportion of these emergency dental visits.
• Non-Hispanic Black individuals and those in low-income communities are disproportionately affected 2 .

These statistics reflect gaps in access, education, and systemic support. They aren't just numbers—they are stories waiting to be heard. Stories of neglect, of survival, of endurance.

That young woman in my chair taught me yet again the deeply intimate nature of dentistry, where a patient lays bare their soul. Every emergency dental visit is thus an opportunity to connect, to care, to honor fellow human’s journey.

Behind every broken tooth is a story. Behind every crown, a crown-worthy human being.

And in cities like New York—and dental chairs like mine—those stories remind us that we’re all just passing through, hopefully making each other a little stronger, a little kinder, and a little more whole.

As per the American Dental Association, number of Americans visiting the hospital emergency departments for dental pain is approximately 2 million people. Majority of these visits could have been addressed by local dentists and clinics.

These unnecessary ED visits cost our healthcare system an estimated $1.7 billion annually and often fail to address the root cause of the problem.

Emergency dental visits fall into two main categories: Traumatic (from physical injuries) and Non- Traumatic (often due to preventable issues). The most common dental emergency? A severe toothache—a condition that’s largely preventable with regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene.

In 2019, there were approximately 1.8 million ED visits for Non-Traumatic Dental Conditions (NTDCs). While the number of visits has slightly declined in recent years, the costs have continued to rise. Adults aged 25–34 are the most likely to end up in the ER for dental issues, primarily due to lack of dental insurance or inadequate coverage. Rural residents, Medicaid recipients, and those earning under $48,000 annually are also disproportionately affected. Alarmingly, Black individuals are 44% more likely than white individuals to rely on the ED for NTDCs, underscoring persistent inequalities in access to care.

At Truth and Laughter Dentistry, we're acting through our Equity Initiative—specifically designed to support the 18–44 age group most impacted by this crisis. We offer a 15% discount on emergency dental procedures to those individuals lacking adequate dental coverage and a membership plan for affordable, routine dental care.

Don’t let a preventable toothache turn into an expensive emergency. If you're experiencing dental pain and lack coverage, reach out to us—we're here to help you get the care you need, when you need it most.