I never imagined that something as routine as having my wisdom teeth removed could quietly shape the next decade of my health.
In 2010, I had all four removed—something almost everyone goes through.
But just days after the surgery, three out of four sites developed dry sockets. The pain was unbearable, but what I didn’t realize then was that this trauma didn’t just affect my jaw—it set off a slow, quiet storm in my body that would take years to unravel.
Over time, I began experiencing chronic sinus congestion, frequent sinus infections, histamine intolerance, facial puffiness, and deep, painful cystic acne across my jawline, cheeks, and neck. My sleep was constantly disrupted by pressure in my face and blocked nasal passages. No matter how clean I ate—cutting out dairy, sugar, gluten, and alcohol—my skin stayed inflamed, my face stayed puffy, and nothing seemed to change.
Still searching for answers, I saw an ENT. He did a quick exam and said:
“I don’t see anything. I’m going to start you on Flonase and Zoloft. Come back in four weeks.”
The entire appointment lasted six minutes.
Flonase… and an antidepressant. For a stuffy nose.
After I’d already explained I’d tried every nasal spray on the market—for years.
Not sure when Zoloft became a decongestant, but apparently I missed the memo.
That moment lit a fire in me. It was dismissive, insulting, and honestly—unbelievable.
I wasn’t there asking for a band-aid. I was asking someone to actually listen. To look deeper. Instead, I was handed a prescription and told to circle back in a month.
My face was inflamed. My sinuses were blocked. I was waking up puffy, broken out, and completely drained. And because nothing showed up during the exam, I was told it was all in my head.
But this wasn’t a mental health issue. It was a physical, systemic problem—and I could feel it in every part of my body.
I had cut out inflammatory foods. I was eating clean, moving my body, supporting my nervous system, doing all the “right” things—and still, every morning I woke up feeling like I was stuck in a body that wouldn’t respond.
That appointment didn’t bring answers.
But it brought something else: the most determination I’ve ever had.
That stretch of chronic symptoms—especially the skin issues and constant congestion—is what eventually led me into the world of nutrition and functional wellness.
By 2015, I had fully committed to my healing journey. I cleaned up my diet, eliminated trigger foods like dairy, gluten, and refined sugar, stopped drinking alcohol, and focused on movement, rest, and nervous system support. I changed my life from the inside out.
And yet, despite doing all the “right things,” my cystic acne never fully cleared, and I still couldn’t breathe properly through my nose. The inflammation in my face and sinuses was unrelenting.
It’s honestly surreal how full circle this journey has been. Before I ever stepped into the world of functional medicine, I worked in the dental field. I was trained in traditional dentistry, which meant viewing teeth as separate from the rest of the body.
My first day working in a dental office.
In that model:
What I wasn’t taught is what I now know to be true:
Your mouth is not separate from your body.
And what’s happening in your jawbone can absolutely affect your skin, sinuses, and whole-body inflammation.
Connecting the DotsTwo years ago, while researching chronic sinus issues, I came across a story of a woman whose symptoms disappeared after having a root canal removed.
It was the first time I saw my experience reflected in someone else’s journey, and it was the moment everything started to make sense.
I spent months diving deep into the world of dental cavitations, root canal toxicity, and jawbone infections. I read every article I could find, listened to interviews with biological dentists, and started connecting the dots between my dental history and the persistent issues that kept showing up no matter what I tried.
But even with all that knowledge, I couldn’t find a provider who truly understood what I was talking about. I saw five different dentists, hoping one of them would take my concerns seriously—but I left every appointment frustrated and discouraged.
Then I found Dr. Kevin Wood, a biological dentist based in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Wood is one of the few fully accredited members of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) in the region and is SMART-certified, meaning he follows strict protocols for the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings.
What set Dr. Wood apart was his holistic approach to dentistry. He didn’t just focus on my teeth; he considered my overall health, recognizing the connection between oral infections and systemic issues like inflammation and skin problems. His practice, Wood Dental Associates, emphasizes the use of biocompatible materials and advanced technology, such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), to detect hidden dental infections that traditional X-rays might miss.
For the first time, I felt truly heard. Dr. Wood answered all my questions with patience and depth, validating the research I had done and the symptoms I was experiencing. His commitment to a whole-body approach to dental care made me feel confident that I was finally on the right path to healing.
Dr. Wood started with a CBCT scan (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)—a 3D imaging tool that offers a full picture of your jaw, nerves, sinuses, and surrounding structures.
Unlike a traditional 2D X-ray, which flattens everything and often misses cavitations or infections, a CBCT can detect hidden infections and necrotic bone. This is crucial for identifying cavitations from old wisdom tooth sites or infected root canals.
And guess what we found?
Multiple areas of chronic infection in my jaw—exactly where my wisdom teeth had been removed and around the site of an old root canal.
A dental cavitation is a hollow, infected area in the jawbone—often caused by poor healing after an extraction (especially if you had dry sockets). These pockets harbor anaerobic bacteria, toxins, and biofilm, which the body can’t clear on its own due to poor circulation in the area.
The result? A constant immune response that can drive systemic symptoms, including:
And honestly… so much more.
Cavitation Surgery: My Healing Process
Over the past year and a half, I’ve had each infected site addressed through cavitation surgery—done one at a time.
Each procedure looked like this:
And with each surgery, I felt lighter. My sinuses opened up. My skin got calmer. My energy continued to improve.
Where I Am Now
My final cavitation surgery was just over three months ago, and I can say this with full confidence:
I can breathe clearly for the first time in over a decade
My skin is completely clear—no breakouts
I feel grounded, calm, and at home in my body
After 10+ years of doing “all the right things,” this was the final piece of the puzzle.
If you’re struggling with acne, chronic sinus issues, or unexplained inflammation—even though you’re doing everything “right”—it might be time to look deeper.
Ask yourself:
If you answered yes to any of those, it might be worth seeking out a CBCT scan and talking to a biological dentist.
Final Thoughts: Healing the Unseen
Cavitation surgery isn’t mainstream. It’s not talked about much. But for me—and for many others—it was the missing link between chronic symptoms and lasting healing.
I share this story not to scare, but to empower. If your body is whispering (or screaming) that something is off—listen. The root cause might be deeper than your skincare routine or your diet.
Sometimes healing isn’t about adding more.
Sometimes it’s about removing what doesn’t belong.
If I hadn’t kept digging, I might still be treating symptoms that weren’t actually the problem.
It took going through my own health struggles to realize just how much the mouth impacts everything else. Now, I get to help others find the answers I spent years searching for.
Explore my 1:1 wellness coaching options to get personalized support in uncovering root causes and creating a healing plan that works for your body.
Looking to dig deeper or find support? Here are a few helpful tools and trusted sources that helped me along the way:
When booking a consult, don’t be afraid to ask questions like:
A true biological dentist will understand that dental health is whole-body health—and you deserve someone who listens and looks beyond the surface.
Cheers to our health,
Michelle Witt
Functional Practitioner & Founder of Onehappykale
Michelle Witt is a Board-Certified Functional Practitioner and the founder of Onehappykale, a clean beauty and wellness brand focused on gut health, hormonal balance, and acne-safe living. After years of personal struggles with cystic acne, chronic sinus issues, and hidden dental infections, Michelle now helps women uncover the root causes of their symptoms with tools like an HTMA Test so they can finally heal, feel confident in their skin.
Follow along on Instagram @onehappykale
