Patient Education
As experts in airway health, we answer FAQs about fostering optimal breathing, avoiding health consequences and treatment approaches
At Mark A. Cruz, DDS in Dana Point, California, we are innovative leaders in airway-focused treatment. In fact, Dr. Cruz founded the longest-running and most well-respected airway curriculum in the U.S., the Airway Collaborative. He remains an authority in the field and a sought-after lecturer and educator.
Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about airway health and airway-focused treatments.
Healthy nasal breathing is not labored and is relatively "silent." If breathing stops abruptly, our brains go into survival mode. They activate our sympathetic nervous system. Our bodies are susceptible to blood oxygenation and react urgently to protect us if breathing falters. If our airway narrows, "fight or flight" behaviors kick in. For instance, among individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, the body abruptly arouses itself to restart breathing.
These threats start a cycle of patterns or behaviors that inhibit oxygenation over the long haul. Such "suboptimal" behaviors are called "compensations." They successfully overcome chronic barriers. But, since they are used habitually, undesirable compensations have many side effects and unintended consequences. The resulting habits themselves become chronic conditions. The root causes of airflow obstruction and narrowed airways are generally divided into three categories:
- Structural
- Functional
- Behavioral
- Narrow or collapsed nostrils
- Deviated nasal septum
- Narrow nasal aperture
- Constricted pharynx
We've isolated a few of the common behavioral threats and compensatory behaviors:
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Rapid breathing
- Heavy respiration
- Poor tongue posture
- Poor sleep posture (stomach-sleeping)
- Snoring
- Noisy breathing
Additionally, airway deficiencies can lead to chronic, irregular "hypoxia," when the body is starved of oxygen. The lack of oxygen stresses organs and systems throughout the body, and it can damage a growing brain and interfere with proper development and cognition. Airway distress leads to a vicious cycle of compensation and comorbidities and chronic pain and dysfunction among adults.
We recommend and facilitate behaviors that stimulate growth and can, in turn, change the way that the face develops over time. Notably, understand that crowded or crooked teeth are complications of the unhealthy cycle associated with untreated airway problems and the behaviors that arise to compensate for these chronic problems. How the teeth are ultimately positioned depends on the form that the jaws take, and the jaws take shape due to poor function and labored breathing patterns often developed early in life. We must interrupt this cycle of form, function, and behavior. To do so, the form must be addressed by reshaping a patient's airway. The function must also be addressed by improving airway physiology and behaviors.
To encourage the development of optimal airway physiology and breathing patterns, we partner with patients to:
- Reduce constriction of the airway anatomy
- Prevent or lessen the risk of developing harmful physiologic/functional changes
- Demonstrate and educate on proper behaviors
- Support optimal behaviors and wellness to address malocclusion and for sustained good health
So, efforts that support healthy structure are about much more than straightening the teeth and achieving a beautiful smile and attractive facial contours; getting to the root of the problem (deficient structures) promotes excellent health for life. Teeth that have been straightened with orthodontic appliances, for example, tend to relapse if structural deficiencies are not interrupted and adequately resolved. Straightened teeth that function within dysfunctional environments, where structural issues linger, often cannot be maintained. There is a strong foundation for orthodontic treatments focused on repositioning the teeth by creating optimal airway health and function. Optimal airflow also supports facial balance and not just "balanced" or evenly-spaced teeth.
As clinicians focused on airway health, we see the face and associated structures not as "static" but rather as "dynamic." Among developing patients, these structures are evolving. We appreciate that interventions can be undertaken now to prevent future problems and the need for restorative or therapeutic intervention. We know that consequences from airflow problems are not a foregone conclusion.
Airway-focused dental practice answers common questions about diagnosing and treating airflow problems
At Mark A. Cruz, DDS, we distinguish ourselves from other dental practices in and around Dana Point, California, with airway-focused dentistry. Our dentist, Dr. Cruz, is a pioneer in this approach, which supports patient health, quality of life, and beautiful smiles. He founded the Airway Collaborative, the oldest and highest-regarded airway curriculum in the United States. A nod to our team’s considerable expertise, Dr. Cruz is a respected authority in the field who teaches other dental professionals about airflow conditions and how to treat them effectively.
Fittingly, our team values education and empowering patients with credible information that they can trust. We welcome your specific questions but, in the meantime, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about airway health and the advanced, multi-faceted diagnostics and treatments available at our practice.
Airway-focused practitioners generally divide these threats to good airway health into three categories:
- Structural distortions; for example, a deviated nasal septum
- Functional or physiological deficiencies, such as swelling of the soft tissues in the throat in response to allergies or food sensitivities
- Behavioral factors; for instance, mouth-breathing and poor sleep and tongue posture
Formerly, practitioners may have focused just on the narrow palate. But this is only one factor to consider when evaluating airway collapse. We may find deformities that affect the entire jaw and not just the palate. Similarly, we are keenly aware of accounting for overall facial shape. We can now compare the patient’s face to samples of their peers, to earlier skeletal models (before there was considerable misalignment in the population), and those children who naturally develop straight teeth. We can take a bigger-picture view of deficiencies affecting the lower portion of the face.
Furthermore, we don’t just assume that the child has issues with nasal breathing. We can use pressure sensors to measure the function of the tongue and how the lips, chin, and cheeks are used for swallowing. From there, we assess the relationship and balance among these forces. We don’t just consider the upper and lower jawbones, but all 22 skull bones. The idea is to evaluate how these bones work together to support optimal development.
True wellness is about more than resolving symptoms. We use specialized tools to track breathing at night and during the day. We also factor in the behavioral compensations that have been adopted. It is essential to understand why behaviors such as open-mouth breathing were introduced and, as needed, to know why such compensations may persist. Also, soft tissue and tongue function are factored in; tongue movement, for example, is analyzed. So, we can then train and guide the tongue’s development. In this manner, the tongue is encouraged to better guard and support the airway and proper respiration, as intended.
Depending on your needs, therapies may include myofunctional training protocols to correct tongue posture. Or a mix of upper jaw expansion techniques and aligners may be appropriate to address a narrow maxilla, snoring, and airway construction. Such diverse methodologies promptly break the destructive cycle, stop the suffering patients face, and restore renewed vigor, health, and quality of life.
Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action

- Biobloc Explanation
- 'The battle to breath' Airway documentary
- Drs. Mark Cruz, Rick Roblee, and Barry Raphael discuss the "Frameworks for Interdisciplinary Care in Airway Dentistry" for the Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences 2020 Conference
- The Lost Art and Science of Breath : James Nestor | Float Conference 2018
- The Neurological Consequences of a Misf...
- If Your Child Has ADHD
- Finding Connor Deegan - AAPMD
- Mouth Breathing has a negative impact...
- Dentist For Correction Of Tongue Tie Condition
- Right to Grow Story of Headgear
- Myobrace
- AARD Projected clinic Movie
- ALF Appliance Dr. Naomi Hillel : If your child or adolescent suffers from crooked teeth then ALF orthodontics might be just the solution. Symptoms of poor teeth/jaw relationships could include snoring, improper bite, thumb sucking, and even breathing congestion. Instead of hefty braces or retainers, ALF orthodontic technology which stands for alternative light wire forces introduces a corrective option via tongue positioning in the mouth that carries an integral aspect in facial growth and formation into adulthood.
- Frenum Freedom
- TMJ
- Sleep Disorder
- HRPO
- Interview
- Orthotropics Story
- Sleepless in America: The Effects of Sleep Deprivation On The Immune System
- Check out this amazing TED Talk
- Integrated Treatment - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Daytime Problems - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Patient Follow Up - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Treatment Without Devices - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Proper Myofuntion - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Cosmetic Dentistry - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Bruxism - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Treatments That Vary Between Patients - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Reprogramming Habits - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Adult Facial Development - Mark A Cruz DDS
- Effects of a Western Diet : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Bones in the Face : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Soft Tissue in the Face : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Effects of the Respiratory System on the Face : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Airway and Facial Development : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Noninvasive Treatment Alternatives : Mark A Cruz DDS
- Benefits of detecting upper airway : Best Cosmetic Dentist in Mission Viejo
- Different physical attributes : Top Dentist in Laguna Niguel
- Screening process : Mark A Cruz DDS, Dana point
- Physical dangers of upper airway : Laguna Niguel Family Dentist
- Downfalls of someone taking medication : Dana point Cosmetic Dentist
- Questions to patients by Dr. Cruz : Dr Mark A. Cruz, Mission Viejo
- Negatives that occur if you breath through the mouth too much - Top Dentist in Mission Viejo : Top Dentist in Mission Viejo
- How dentist detects upper airway resistance : Cosmetic Dentist Laguna Beach
- Physical abnormalities : Dana point Best dentist
- Screening process for patients : Best Dentist Laguna Niguel
- The Importance of Airways and Dental Health : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how Dentistry has changed, becoming more Jun 18, 2012
- Sleep Disordered Breathing : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how to address implants in regards to sleep disordered breathing... Jun 18, 2012
- Sleep Labs and the Prevalence of Sleep Disorders : Mark A. Cruz DDS shares his thoughts about sleep labs...Jun 18, 2012
- Dieting and Facial Development : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about the affects of dieting on facial development...Jun 18, 2012
- Softer Foods can Lead to Less Facial Development : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how the types of food, the preparation method and the...Jun 18, 2012
- The Brain Trust: Collaborating to Better Help Patients : Mark A. Cruz DDS shares his goals of multidisciplinary collaboration to create...Jun 18, 2012
- Facial Development and Procedures Can Restrict Breathing : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how the development...Jun 18, 2012
- Early Jaw Development and Breathing : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how the jaw development at the early ...Jun 18, 2012
- Mouth Breathing : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about the effects of mouth breathing and how negative effects within...Jun 18, 2012
- The Human Airway : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about physical affects in the body due to compromised and inefficient airways...Jun 18, 2012
- Effects of a Compromised Airway : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how changes and diminishments to the airway...Jun 18, 2012
- Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about sleep disorders and breathing restrictions...Jun 18, 2012
- Creating Healthy Lifestyles : Mark A. Cruz DDS talks about how he strives to make patients healthy...Jun 18, 2012
- Dr. Cruz's Practice Philosophy : Dr Cruz practice philosophies, including his own, in dentistry, and how there are no "better" or "right" methods...May 7, 2012
- Brain Cancer Correlated with Dental X-Rays : Dr Cruz explains how he helps his patients to understand the big picture...May 7, 2012
- Patients Need to Be Their Own Advocate : Dr Cruz discusses the importance of patients taking responsibility and seeking out other opinions...May 7, 2012
- Taking Care in Healthcare Decisions : Dr Cruz explains the importance of taking care when making healthcare decisions...May 7, 2012
- Two Basic Activities in a Dental Practice : Dr. Mark Cruz explains the two aspects of his dentistry practice.Apr 26, 2012
- Knowledge Voids and Blind Spots in Healthcare : Dr Cruz explains that there are always knowledge voids and blind spots in health care...Apr 26, 2012
- Understanding Risks and Benefits : Dr Cruz explains his role in engaging with his patients to help them understand the entire scope...Apr 26, 2012
- Tonsillectomy and Medical Fallacies : Dr Cruz tells an anecdote about a medical fallacy in which many children had their tonsils removed,..Apr 26, 2012
- Baby Hummingbirds Outside Our Office : A recent video we took from our office. This is what we and our patients get to look at on a daily basis...Apr 12, 2012
- Honing Your "Practice" : Dr Cruz talks about how all physicians go through a maturing process where they hone their intuitions...Feb 10, 2012
- Dentistry to Reduce Risk and Disease of Oral Health : Dr Cruz talks about how traditionally the dental industry has focused on tooth decay...Feb 10, 2012
- New Dentistry Medical Models : Dr Cruz discusses how the new dentistry medical model takes a different approach in stepping back...Feb 10, 2012
- Dentists Working with Other Physicians for Greater Healthcare : Dr Cruz discusses how dentists will be working more...Feb 10, 2012
- Health Diagnosis from Dental Visits : Dr Cruz alks about the future of dentistry, and patients will soon be able to visit their dentists...Feb 10, 2012
- The Stomatognathic System : Dr Cruz discusses how most people think of dentistry of only dealing with teeth and gums...Feb 10, 2012
- Importance of Airway Systems in Dentistry : Dr Cruz explains how the development of our airways can be manipulated...Feb 10, 2012
- Be An Intelligent Consumer in Dentistry : Dr Cruz explains the importance of knowing how to be an intelligent consumer in dentistry...Feb 10, 2012
- The Importance of Working with Other Specialists : Dr Cruz talks about how he works with other specialists... Feb 06, 2012
- Definition of Conservative Dentistry : Dr Cruz talks about a conservative approach to dentistry, which he describes as the best...Feb 02, 2012
- Treatment Options for Dental Patients : Dr Cruz talks about understanding his patients needs & presenting them with various options for dental care.Nov 11, 2011
- Why Bed-wetting at age 7 or 8 Could Mean Sleep Apnea- : Mark A. Cruz DDS. talks about Sleep Apnea. Nov 2, 2011
- Mark A. Cruz's, DDS, Message to His Patients : discusses his dedication to his patients and their long-term dental well-being." -Oct 27, 2011
- New Technology to Screen Patients for Dental Problems : Dr Cruz talks about how he uses an advanced "high resolution pulse oximeter"... -Oct 27, 2011
- Children with Blocked Airways at Higher Risk for ADD or Autism : Mark A. Cruz DDS. a dentist in Monarch Beach, CA, discusses how a child's -Oct 27, 2011
- How Changes in Dentistry Have Affected Consumers- : Mark A. Cruz DDS. talks about how Dentistry has changed...Oct 27, 2011
- Dentistry & Sleep Apnea : Mark A. Cruz DDS. talks to us about what happens when a patient falls asleep who struggles with sleep apnea
- Dr. Mark A. Cruz, DDS On Treating His Patients Needs : Mark A. Cruz DDS. talks about Patients Needs.Oct 26, 2011
- Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action : A video about How great leaders inspire action.Oct 7, 2011
- Joe Rogan Experience with James Nestor : Podcast video
- AFDC Episode 70: Beth Lambert: Documenting Hope
- AFDC Episode 69: Soroush Zaghi, MD : The lingual frenectomy - Going deep
- AFDC Episode 68: Michael Gelb and the Airway Summit
- AFDC Episode 67: Drs. Hindin and Hindin: Advancing the Airway Concept
- AFDC Episode 66: Rick Roblee,DDS and Jerry Rose, PhD: Anthropology and Malocclusion
- AFDC Episode 65: Kaspers: 3D Joint analysis
- AFDC Episode 64: Thorsen and Moy: The Modern SLP and the Airway
- AFDC Episode 63: Derek Mahony: An interview
- AFDC Episode 61: Bob Whitehouse pt2 on Heart Rate Variability in Dentistry and Orthodontics
- AFDC Episode 60: The Three Airway Symposia of March 2017
- AFDC Episode 59: Dr. Steven Lin: The Dental Diet
- AFDC Episode 58: Dr. Robert Grove
- AAFDC Episode 57: Bob Whitehouse on Heart Rate Variability
- AFDC Episode 56: Peter Litchfield on Dysfunctional Breathing
- AFDC Episode 55: Dr. Duane Grummons: Airway-focused Stomatognathic Orthodontics
- AFDC Episode 53: Dr. Umakanth Khatwa
- Introduction to the Airway Mini-Residency
Do you have other questions?
We are always happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Just call our Dana Point, CA office at (949) 661-1006.