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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