Latest Blog Posts From Our Blog

Tooth loss never has to be in your future. You can maintain your smile’s health with a dental hygiene routine that includes daily home care and professional cleanings at the office of Mark A. Cruz DDS, Inc., in Mission Viejo, California. 

As an airway-focused dental practice, the office of Mark A. Cruz, DDS, Inc., provides comprehensive care for your teeth, gums, and other interconnected tissues and structures. Dr. Cruz and his team have considerable and advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating airway issues. They have applied their knowledge and experience to help patients from across the […]

Are you concerned about your child’s mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or difficulty swallowing? Oral myofunctional therapy (OMT) in Mission Viejo, California, can help. This holistic approach involves customized activities, stretches, and exercises to address multiple oral-facial disorders. At Mark A. Cruz, DDS, we are excited to offer myofunctional therapy to support better breathing, improved sleep, […]

Many people don’t recognize the link between their airway health and their overall health. At Mark A. Cruz, DDS, dentistry goes beyond simply treating teeth and gums. Our dentists take a more comprehensive approach to oral health. We provide airway-focused dentistry, which optimizes your airway health for improved breathing, better sleep, and long-term wellness. Visit […]

When it comes to orthodontic care, there are more options than traditional braces. Alternative approaches to orthodontics, including Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF), offer a gentle, holistic approach to orthodontic care. It’s not just about straightening teeth; it’s about working with the body’s natural growth and function to encourage healthier jaw development and improved oral balance. […]

The office of , provides many appliances that address the underlying causes of conditions like crowded teeth, which are traditionally treated with conventional braces. Our team in Mission Viejo, CAlifornia, sees misalignment as symptomatic of problems that need correction, such as underdeveloped jaws and poor facial growth patterns. Our appliances truly resolve the underlying problem […]

Myofunctional therapy with solutions like Myobrace® at and the practice of Dr. Mark Cruz addresses early muscle issues in the face and mouth among children, helping prevent conditions that can significantly impact their development and well-being. By properly positioning the tongue and related tissues, we “re-train” your child’s swallowing and chewing patterns, reducing the risk […]

The office of , in Mission Viejo, CAlifornia, stays on top of the latest research in the prevention, detection, and management of airway-related conditions. Published in Sleep Medicine, the official journal of the World Sleep Society and the International Pediatric Sleep Association, study findings explore how sleep keeps our cells healthy, and this is especially […]

How children sleep and breathe during sleep can either help or hinder their natural growth and healthy development. Our airway-focused dentistry at the office of , supports the healthiest start for your child, the building blocks for a lifetime of wellness. In this guide, our Mission Viejo, CAlifornia team walks you through the five points […]

There is a healthy way to breathe. Generally, a mouth breather is at increased risk of developing a range of serious and often debilitating complications, from gastrointestinal disorders like IBS to ADHD, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, the structure or anatomy of the face can be affected by airway issues. The office of , discusses […]

The office of , provides airway-focused dentistry. Many of the conditions and concerns that we treat can manifest as a lack of quality, uninterrupted sleep. In fact, persistent and unexplainable fatigue can be a “red flag” for obstructive sleep apnea. It is imperative to treat OSA and other forms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) before they […]

Our dentist, Dr. Mark A. Cruz, describes obstructive sleep apnea as an “end-stage diagnosis” akin to metastatic cancer. We are not being alarmist; instead, we make this comparison to underscore our approach to treating airway problems. Our team in Mission Viejo, CAlifornia, emphasizes early intervention. OSA did not arise overnight. It may have begun as […]