Non-communicable diseases in dentistry and medicine include sleep apnea, malocclusion, and caries. Dr. Mark A. Cruz, a Dana Point dentist, and his colleague, Dr. Barry Raphael, are committed to taking a closer look at the root causes of these diseases to help in diagnosing and treating patients effectively. Dr. Raphael is an orthodontist in New Jersey who has 33 years of experience in treating patients with a variety of dental and orthodontic concerns. Dr. Cruz and Dr. Raphael developed the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency to educate doctors from multiple disciplines about the significant role the airway plays in dentistry. Dr. … Read Full Article
Do you feel like you sleep enough hours, yet wake tired and fuzzy headed, like you hardly slept? You may think you have insomnia or an elevated stress level, but you could be suffering from UARS – upper airway resistance syndrome. Dr. Mark Cruz helps patients in the Dana Point area get better sleep, with orthotropics. Is it UARS or OSA? UARS is a sleep disorder where relaxed muscles constrict the airway. Breathing becomes labored, and interrupts deep sleep many times during the night. While UARS shares some characteristics, such as audible snoring, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there are … Read Full Article
“Airway Focused Dentistry Mini Residency,” co-developed by Dr. Mark A Cruz of Dana Point, was created to advance research, education, and awareness of the important topic of apnea and other breathing disorders among the medical community. Dr. Litchfield spoke about dysfunctional breathing, including apnea, as well as many respiratory problems that occur during waking hours. The importance of respiratory health Two of the most important functions of breathing are intaking oxygen and expelling CO2. This process is regulated by the body’s oxygen delivery system, which is dependent on proper pH balance within the red blood cells. Changes in the frequency … Read Full Article
Dr. Mark A. Cruz of Dana Point, California, co-developed “Airway Focused Dentistry Mini Residency,” which includes a series of lectures from experts on breathing disorders. During the series, Dr. Litchfield gave an enlightening presentation, discussing the link between dysfunctional breathing and behavior. The link between habits and breathing problems Habits are learned behaviors. Dr. Litchfield explained that not only your mind, but also your body “learns.” Any living system can acquire and save information, then modify physiologically in response. He used a case study to demonstrate how dysfunctional breathing habits can develop, and how they can be consciously overcome. The … Read Full Article
Though you may have heard of sleep apnea, you probably still have some questions. Dr. Mark Cruz in Dana Point, CA is an expert in airway focused dentistry. He explains what sleep apnea is, why you should take the diagnosis seriously, and how a qualified dentist can help. Normal breathing and sleep Deep, restful sleep is essential to overall wellness, and healthy breathing patterns are essential to sleep. Normal breathing entails taking air in through the nose. Air travels through nasal passages to the pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, and trachea—lower portions of the airway shared with the mouth—before entering the lungs.There, … Read Full Article
What is decay? This may seem like a rather simple question. Decay, cavities, and caries are all terms for the same thing, and it is something with which most people are very familiar. Unfortunately, many patients and dentists alike have been conditioned by an outdated way of thinking. A cavity is a hole in a tooth, and it needs to be filled in. This treatment model, known as the surgical or “drill and fill” approach, seems very simple and straightforward, but it does not address the most important questions. Why did the cavity form? Will more develop as soon as … Read Full Article
CAMBRA, means “Caries Management by Risk Assessment.” It is a technique used by a dentist to determine a patients’ risk for dental caries. Dental caries are the cavities or tooth decay that destroys teeth. Tooth decay is an infectious process that is caused by bacteria that is present in the mouth. Certain patients have a higher occurrence of dental caries. CAMBRA can help determine who has a higher risk and what steps should be taken to avoid future tooth decay. A CAMBRA evaluation can be performed by Dr. Cruz in Laguna Niguel. Dr. Cruz will look at your individual risk … Read Full Article
In the past it was thought that dental caries, or cavities, were the result of poor oral hygiene. While improper care of the teeth can lead to decay, it is not the only cause. Caries can be caused by many other conditions as well. Certain medications can change the pH in the mouth or cause dry mouth, leading to higher amounts of bacteria. A diet that is high in sugar or acidic foods can also cause problems for the teeth. Some habits and even heredity can be factors in increased dental caries. Your health is our highest priority and your … Read Full Article
If you’ve ever had a cavity, you have experienced dental caries. Dental caries, which is typically dubbed as “cavities” or “tooth decay,” is when the breakdown of dental enamel happens due to acid and demineralization that occurs on a tooth due to poor hygiene or excessive amounts of bacteria in the mouth. In recent research, there has been more speculation as to the reason for dental caries. In fact, researchers are finding that there are other factors than just poor hygiene involved in developing dental caries. Research shows that the pH levels in your saliva can affect your chances for … Read Full Article
Acid reflux, or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) can wreak havoc on your teeth. While you might not immediately think of GERD as being a reason for poor oral health, it may help if you fully understand what happens with GERD. Reflux of food and gastric acid is prevented by 2 high-pressure zones in the esophagus – the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), as well as by means of forward peristalsis. The upper esophageal sphincter is located at the cricopharyngeal muscle about 20 centimeters away from the maxillary dental arch. This means that the acid and … Read Full Article
