335: Bedwetting, Tantrums & the Hidden Airway Crisis No One Talks About | Dr. Cruz (Kelly's Dentist)

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. Leave Us A Voice Message! | https://telbee.io/channel/4_b9zzx58wdkuwirqkcxwa/ 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? Sponsored By: Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com. AG1 | Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at drinkAG1.com/bewell. Jesse & Ben's | Right now, you can visit jesseandbens.com/bewell to claim 20% off on their first bag of fries.  OneSkin | Visit oneskin.co/BEWELL and use code BEWELL for 15% off your first purchase. 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 Check Out Dr. Cruz:  Website Instagram  Check Out Kelly:  Instagram YouTube Facebook