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

Check Out Dr. Cruz: 

• Website
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