Our proactive, integrative approach supports healthy breathing early on and a healthy “you” for life

At Mark A. Cruz, DDS, we treat the “why” behind conditions such as snoring, sleep apnea, and crowded teeth. This approach differs from other dentists and providers in Dana Point, California, and beyond. Our healthcare system tends to manage symptoms. It doesn’t focus on resolving the root cause.

Furthermore, Dr. Cruz appreciates that widespread conditions are rooted in environmental factors. Originating at birth and quite literally “under our nose,” these factors represent a radical departure in human evolution. Consider how third molars (“wisdom teeth”) often don’t align with what “nature intended.” Our genetic expression or potential is inhibited by an array of environmental (“epigenetic”) influences. Impaired breathing, poor sleep, and other compensations arise that interfere with the optimal expression of genes inherited from our biological parents. 

Getting to the real root of the problem

Contrary to what you may have heard, the molars at the very back of our mouths are not an artifact from earlier humans. The accepted “theory” has been that humans evolved to where these “wisdom teeth” were no longer needed to support our health and proper oral function. The truth is, anthropologists have found that our human ancestors’ faces had sufficient room to accommodate all 32 teeth – with space to spare! Additionally, earlier humans had healthier features, such as high cheekbones, forward-projecting faces, wider palates, and no crowding of teeth whatsoever. 

Nowadays, such features are rare. Our faces tend to grow vertically, not forward. Mouth (rather than nasal) breathing and other harmful compensations develop in response. These compensations are implicated in myriad health problems, including sleep-disordered breathing or breathing-disordered sleep. 

Our siloed healthcare system tends to put a Band-Aid on the problem. We put braces on crowded teeth. Then, we prescribe retainers to prevent or correct relapses that inevitably occur due to braces being an unstable approach to straightening the teeth. It is essential to acknowledge the contributors to early problems with facial development. With an integrated, cross-specialist approach, we can prevent or intervene with these developmental problems before they contribute to snoring, sleep apnea, ADHD, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions that were virtually unheard of throughout human history. 

The power of epigenetics 

Today, we understand that our facial development is not as determined by genetics as we thought. Rather, airway-focused providers and other integrative health practitioners appreciate the tremendous influence of behaviors and the environment on our genes and genetic expression. Dr. Cruz has isolated a few of the epigenetic factors that affect our craniofacial development: 

• How we chew our food, not just what we eat 
• Interventions and behaviors during the first 1,000 days of life; for example, how infants are nursed and their sleep posture
• Natural and proper breathing patterns (again, breathing through the nose versus through the mouth)

Twin studies support the power of the environment on facial growth, appearance, and overall health. You can see individuals with the same genes and different environments that end up with wide disparities in how each twin looks and in their respective health statuses. In other words: What we receive from our parents is the blueprint. What we do with that blueprint can determine our lifespan and quality of life. 

Dr. Mark Cruz returns to the basics to achieve or support optimal health. Our current system’s approach to health care is more akin to tidying up the deck chairs on a sinking ship instead of fixing the leak. Experience our approach for yourself by scheduling an appointment at our Dana Point, CA office. Call us at (949) 661-1006 today.