In this episode, I sit down with airway-focused dentist Dr. Mark A. Cruz to explore how breathing, facial development, and airway health impact everything from childhood behavior to long-term wellness. We talk about the hidden signs of poor airway function—like bedwetting, thumb-sucking, and mouthbreathing—and how early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
Dr. Cruz explains the evolution of the human jaw, the importance of nasal breathing, and why so many common issues are misdiagnosed. Whether you're a parent or simply curious about optimizing your own health, this conversation will change the way you think about dentistry and whole-body care.
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Topics Discussed:
- How does airway health affect my child’s sleep and behavior?
- What are the signs of poor airway function in children?
- Can improving airway health help with focus and learning in kids?
- What is the connection between mouthbreathing and developmental issues?
- How can improving my child’s airway help with bedwetting and sleep disorders?
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Timestamps:
- 00:00:00 – Episode intro and overview
- 00:02:25 – Dr. Cruz’s background and education
- 00:06:51 – Starting out at UCLA and private practice
- 00:09:45 – Craniofacial medicine
- 00:16:09 – Jaw development around the world
- 00:18:34 – How the human head evolved
- 00:20:30 – Key findings from Dr. Cruz’s research
- 00:24:49 – Understanding and building the airway
- 00:28:58 – Parenting instincts in airway health
- 00:34:36 – What to know about hypoxia
- 00:35:30 – Sleep’s effect on the nervous system
- 00:40:28 – Expanding nasal airways
- 00:43:41 – Why airway issues get misdiagnosed
- 00:46:40 – Long-term effects of mouthbreathing
- 00:50:30 – Mewing and facial growth
- 00:53:20 – How airway form affects function
- 00:59:06 – Breathing techniques that help
- 01:03:09 – Treatment strategies to consider
- 01:07:51 – Personalized therapy approaches
- 01:13:27 – Health risks of untreated airway issues
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