The Science of Sugar

If you’d like to share some kind words and smiles, please ask our front desk staff for a comment card at your next appointment. We’d love to hear about your experience!


Evergreen Family Dental

5 out of 5 based on 36 user reviews.

By Megan

5/5

"Staff is great! Had a great visit"
 


By Zarmina J.

5/5

"Dr Kim and stuff are very nice and for sure the best dentist to go for dental care. They are all very friendly, professional and always welcoming. Their dental work is great and I had a great experience with my dental care at this office. I highly recommend this office for all the dental care."
 


By David Wuest

5/5

"I’ve been a patient at Dr.Kim’s for many years the staff is excellent and Dr. Kim is a great dentist ! I would like to especially compliment Nageba she is an excellent dental hygienist !! She is very informative and takes special attention to the health of your teeth and gums !!!"
 


By David H.

5/5

"Dr.kim is an amazing dentist . i am glad to have him as my dentist. Everyone at the office are like family they are always happy and upbeat. As for me personally id follow dr.kim anywhere he moved the office should he do that because good healthcare is a hard thing to find. Thank you all at evergreen family dental in mill creek"
 


By Jolyn H.

5/5

"This was my first appointment with Dr Kim and I couldn’t be more pleased. All the staff was so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I immediately felt right at home. Dr Kim far surpassed my expectations and my only regret is that I hadn’t switched to his office sooner. Thank you for such a great dental experience and I look forward to my next visit."
 


By John G.

5/5

"Great experience having my check up and cleaning done for the first time (in several years). Staff was friendly, informative of the process and knowledgeable. They took the time to explain things as we went. I was able to book an appointment easily and within just a week of my initial contact. I highly recommend them!"
 


By Amy M.

5/5

"Dr Kim and his staff are part of the top 1%. From the minute you walk in you feel like family is taking care of you. Dr Kim has saved me many times. I can’t say enough about their office. Try once and you’ll leave the others and wonder why you waited so long. I look forward to my teeth cleaning"
 


By Kenny S.

5/5

"Called today with a sore tooth, they got me in to see Dr. Kim the same day. Walked in and was greeted by a very friendly employee. I sat down and they got right to it. My sore tooth ended up being a root canal. Dr. Kim started the process right away in order to relieve my pain. He was very thorough, knowledgeable and genuinely cared about my comfort and made sure I wasn’t in pain. They have a Super Friendly staff, they are good at what they do and Dr. Kim did GREAT! This is now my new Dentist for all of my needs!"
 


By Misc B.

5/5

"My new dentist location! I must say, I’m really impressed with all the staff. Everyone is friendly, sweet, and funny. I forgot my hygienist’s name, but she made the visit incredibly fun and worth my time. She was careful with my teeth after I mentioned it’s been sensitive and she provided me sensitive tooth paste along with regular toothpaste. She was also describing the tool that flushed your mouth with water and called it by it’s fancy name, before saying “ehh, it’s just water” with a disappointing and joking tone which made me laugh. Dr. Kim seemed very caring and attentive as well. I’m glad we switched over to this dentist because it was a joyful experience. I’m looking forward to my next visit."
 


By Brandy T.

5/5

"Evergreen Family Dental is by far the best dentist we have ever had! All ages served well here! And the receptionist, Stephanie, is totally the best!! Excellent customer service! We love Evergreen Family Dental!!"
 


By Ramon C.

5/5

"My family has been coming here for years; excellent and friendly staff. They are all very knowledgeable and they make you feel welcomed every time. Dr Kim is very skillful, gentle, and is the best dentist around. Ive had many procedures with him and he has always made sure I’m comfortable during the procedures. Hands down, Dr kim is the best dentist around!! He’s fast, smart, and always listens to your concerns. The Environment is very clean and full of energy making dentist visits something to look forward to these days. 5 stars is not enough to compare to for this complete dentistry. Shout out to the front desk buddies for always on point with my insurance paperwork and always staying in top of things. I never have to do anything. Thank you! I highly recommend this office to anyone searching for a top-tier dentist."
 


By Ton T.

5/5

"Ever since I moved to the Mill Creek area, I can admit I enjoy going to the dentist now because of Dr. Kim and his very friendly staff. I’m glad Evergreen Family Dental is conveniently located in the heart of the Mill Creek Town Center off of Bothell Everett Highway which is only a five-minute drive from my house. Highly Recommended for anyone who is located in the Mill Creek area!"
 


By Anthony A.

5/5

"My favorite dentist and dentist office ever. Dr. Kim rocks and is a caring and friendly, the staff are all friendly, energetic, and feel like friends. This is the first dentist office I’ve been too that I actually look forward to going and seeing the staff and talking with the dentist. Highly recommend!"
 


By Isaac P.

5/5

"The best dental office I’ve ever been to, hands down! I’ve had two crowns and a couple fillings so far, and Dr. Kim does great work, is very friendly and efficient-yet-gentle, and the whole staff are just wonderful people. One underrated benefit is that I have wonky dental insurance through gov’t employment, and even pretty competent dental offices always seem to have issues billing it properly, but Stephanie’s the best, the billing is always hassle-free and accurate, and she can even give super spot-one estimates in like 20 seconds! So, if you’ve had any insurance billing nightmares before, you’ll be instantly reassured here. Thank you!"
 


By Tina L.

5/5

"I have been going to Evergreen Family Dental for years and I have nothing but amazing things to say about Dr.Kim and his staff. I highly recommend Evergreen family dental to anyone! You will not be disappointed going here. You’ll never just feel like a patient going here or a bother these people really care about you and make you feel like family."
 


By Cyndy R.

5/5

"Evergreen Family Dental has been our family dentist for over a decade. Dr Kim and his assistants Rock! They are all knowledgeable, professional, courteous and kind. Thank you for the many years of excellent service Dr Kim!!"
 


By JoAnne L.

5/5

"Love them…. been a patient for years. Dr. Kim is super nice and CARING. He understands people like me who have anxiety and suffer from sensitivity. The staff is awesome"
 


By Anne K.

5/5

"I absolutely love Dr. Kim and every single one of his staff. I have always had dental anxiety and they make sure I am comfortable and happy. They are all very personable and friendly. My family and I have been coming here for over 5 years and would never think of seeing anyone else!"
 


By Khalil R

5/5

"very professional and a friendly dental office. The work is nice and I had a great experience and will be going there for as long as I can for my dental treatment."
 


By Cirak B.

5/5

"The staff are super friendly and nice. This was my first time visiting their dental office and I was very happy with my experience here. I was first greeted at the door to get my temperature checked, and then I was able to go straight in for my exam and cleaning; barely any wait time at all which is great! My dental hygienist Mel went over my X-rays and even gave me advice on what to avoid that’ll help with my oral hygiene. She was very easy talk to and made sure I wasn’t feeling any pain during my cleaning. Dr. Kim was also very quick to examine my teeth in the end and asked me if I had any questions. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to a dentist, but I feel like I’m getting the best care here and look forward to getting back on track to keeping a healthy smile!"
 


By Refugio M.

5/5

"I’ve been going to Evergreen Family Dental for several years and have had nothing but good service. The office and dental staff are great as well as Dr. Kim!"
 


By Laurie N.

5/5

"Friendly, caring staff. They make you feel like family. Dr. Kim is very personable and makes you feel comfortable. I would highly recommend them!"
 


By Frances S.

5/5

"Everyone was so kind and accommodating! Dr. Kim actually saw my daughter & me out to the front office. He even helped type in my daughter’s follow up appointment. He’s the first dentist I’ve ever seen do that! He took time to have a friendly chat about my son’s visit several years ago and mentioned him by name. Definitely the best family dentistry I’ve been to. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Dr. Kim & staff! You made my daughter feel very welcomed and cared for."
 


By Jeannine W.

5/5

"Best Dentist and staff in the Northwest! Dr. Kim always makes me feel welcome and comfortable as a patient. The other staff is always friendly as well. I recommend everyone I know to go here!"
 


By Chrystal S.

5/5

"Me and my husband have been coming here for years and have always been treated kindly, professionally and have received exceptional service. Dr Kim is one of the best dentists I’ve ever had and he always has a fantastic team of hygienists, assistants and exceptional admin staff, they always remember me!"
 


By Nathan C.

5/5

"I like this dental office. I’ve been coming here for a few years now. They have always been friendly to me, kind, and servant. They always send a follow-up reminder text of your appointment and sometimes even personally call you. The front of the office is especially on it when it comes to appointments. My only recommendation would be to be able to change the temperature of the water used during cleanings is sometimes cold. Today, I’ve had an issue with my teeth that I’ve never had before and they were able to squeeze me in a hours from the time I called to check it out and make sure it wasn’t a major issue. From there they were able to see what’s wrong, schedule another appointment and a cleaning. Thank you for getting me in! The dental hygienist also gave me a special soft toothbrush at the end of the appointment. Dr. Kim and the dental hygienist always give helpful tips to keep your oral hygiene well in-between appointments."
 


By Randen H.

5/5

"I have to leave a review. The people here aren’t just nice and friendly, they are also always so willing to go above and beyond to help you out no matter what your situation is. It’s the first non-family place I’ve considered sending a Christmas card! Don’t go anywhere else."
 


By Krystal L.

5/5

"Dr. Kim and his staff are amazing, fun yet professional and incredibly knowledgeable. They definitely go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable, happy and well informed.I’ve had a few dentists over the years because I’ve never been too happy with the work provided by others. The dentist can be a dreadful experience for some so it definitely helps to have a dental staff that makes it the best experience possible.It’s almost like the cheers of dental offices because literally in no time everyone knows your name. Not to mention I know and work with at least 20 people who see Dr.Kim and we have been clients for a few years now.Thanks Dr. Kim"
 


By Lindsey D.

5/5

"My crown fell off on Friday night. I called Monday and they got me in that afternoon. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The office was very clean. I ended up needing a bridge and they squeezed me in before the end of the year so I can use this years insurance. I’ll be making an appointment for my husband too."
 


By Denise W.

5/5

"Dr Kim and his staff are simply outstanding in the way they have maintained my oral health and diagnosed my dental issues over the past years. I have had a root canal, crowns, and chipped tooth repairs completed. Dr Kim does an excellent job analyzing dental insurance and creates a treatment plan to get the most payment from my provider. Venera got me started on sonic care which has reduced plaque build up and now I love it. The front office is always smiling and helpful and sends out routine texts to confirm appts. I highly recommend this office."
 


By Nathan C.

5/5

"I like this dental office. I’ve been coming here for a few years now. They have always been friendly to me, kind, and servant. They always send a follow-up reminder text of your appointment and sometimes even personally call you. The front of the office is especially on it when it comes to appointments. My only recommendation would be to be able to change the temperature of the water used during cleanings is sometimes cold. Today, I’ve had an issue with my teeth that I’ve never had before and they were able to squeeze me in a hours from the time I called to check it out and make sure it wasn’t a major issue. From there they were able to see what’s wrong, schedule another appointment and a cleaning. Thank you for getting me in! The dental hygienist also gave me a special soft toothbrush at the end of the appointment. Dr. Kim and the dental hygienist always give helpful tips to keep your oral hygiene well in-between appointments."
 


By Jose G.

5/5

"Once again, another perfect cleaning and exam by Dr. Kim and staff. Hopefully I can find a dental office just as good but never better than Evergreen Family Dental. I wonder if I qualify and can receive the Zoom whitening before I leave WA State?"
 


By Joanne O.

5/5

"The staff is very friendly and Dr. Kim is so kind and patient with my 95 year old mother. They are always willing to accommodate her schedule and fit her in if she is having a problem. I would highly recommend them!"
 


By Vicky C.

5/5

"Doctor Kim and the staffs were beyond amazing. Besides the skills, professionalism, and the newly installed technologies in the clinic, Dr. Kim and the staffs were also trying their best in helping me choosing the options that meet my need. I am very grateful for their honest and distinguished service!"
 


By Srilatha S.

5/5

"Have been to Evergreen family dental for 15 years and have always enjoyed the office staff, andDental care."
 


By John C.

5/5

"Dr. Kim and his staff are outstanding! Dental work is never fun but this group of dedicated professionals makes the experience as easy and painless 🙂 as possible.. I highly recommend!!"
 

Some languages have many different words for love. Some have many different words for snow. One language even has different words for a tasty layered sandwich. Is that a hoagie or a hero you’re having? A sub? Grinder? Po’boy?

“Sugar,” though, is a single word which has taken on many meanings, from casual endearment to monosaccharide molecule. Today, we’re examining scientific definitions, with a short and sweet look at the science of sugar.

Chemistry

First, let’s get basic—all the way down to the molecular level.

Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are the three essential macronutrients which keep our bodies running. Sugars are molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, and all carbohydrates are made of these sugar molecules, from single unit structures to very complicated chains.

Sugars called monosaccharides are the most basic of the carbohydrates. “Monosaccharide” comes from the Greek words for “single” and “sugar,” and monosaccharides are the sugars we mean when we talk about “simple sugars.” Why are they simple? Because a monosaccharide is a single molecule which can’t be broken down into smaller carbohydrates.

While there are several types of monosaccharides, the three major simple sugars are:

  • Fructose—the sugar we get from fruit.
  • Galactose—the sugar found in milk.
  • Glucose—the sugar our bodies use the most. It’s found in plants, and also produced when our bodies break down other carbs. Fun fact—this is the only sugar essential for brain cell function.

When two monosaccharide molecules join together, they form a disaccharide (not surprisingly, from the Greek for “two sugars”). Again, there are quite a few disaccharides, but we tend to concentrate on three in our diets:

  • Lactose (glucose + galactose)—found only in milk and dairy products.
  • Maltose (glucose + glucose)—the sugar chiefly produced by grains.
  • Sucrose (glucose + fructose)—produced in plants. These plants include sugar cane and sugar beets, from which we get our refined table sugars.

The reason sugar molecules are so important is because of how our bodies use them.

Biology

Our bodies use the glucose in carbs for energy. As foods break down, first through digestion and then in the cells, the chemical bonds which hold glucose molecules together break as well. This action releases energy, and this energy fuels all our bodily functions.

But even though we need carbohydrates to keep our bodies going, and even though sugars are the easiest carbs to use for energy, there’s a reason no one recommends a diet filled with extra sugar.

Our bodies get all the sugar they need from the natural sugar in the foods we eat. Natural sugars are found in fruits, dairy products, even some vegetables and grains. Along with that sugar come vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and/or protein.

Extra sugars added during baking or mixing or processing for flavor and sweetness provide none of these nutrients. These sugars are known as “added sugars,” and have more serious consequences than just empty calories.

Once we have the sugars we require, there’s no need for more. Extra sugars are stored in liver, muscle, and fat cells for later use. When we eat too much sugar, this carefully balanced system is upset, with negative effects for, among other things, weight, blood sugar, insulin levels—and our dental health.

Nutrition and Dental Health

You know that a sugar-filled diet often means a cavity-filled checkup. Why? Because it’s not just our bodies that break down sugar for fuel.

The oral bacteria in plaque also need sugars for food, which they use to make acids. An acidic environment in the mouth weakens and dissolves the minerals which keep tooth enamel strong. And these weak spots are vulnerable to decay. A steady diet of sugar-filled foods means that your enamel is constantly under acid attack.

Cutting down on added sugars is one of the easiest and best ways to cut down on added cavities. Reading recipes, checking out labels, learning to recognize added sugars—this is nutritional research which has sweet results.

How to recognize added sugars? Here’s where language gives us plenty of words to fill our linguistic sugar bowl. Whether the ingredients are called agave nectar, honey, molasses, syrups, treacle, or table sugar, they’re really just sugar. More specifically, they’re all sugars made up of glucose and fructose, with at best a trace amount of vitamins and minerals—and usually not even a trace!

To make our lives easier, labels on food packaging now let us know exactly how much of the sugar in any product is “added sugar.” You expect to find a high percentage of sugar on dessert labels, but you might be surprised to read how much sugar is added to foods like energy drinks, sports drinks, flavored yogurts, cereals, spaghetti sauce, and many more of the items in your grocery cart. Spend an extra minute examining the label, and save yourself many empty calories.

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, glucose, fructose, maltose, agave syrup, treacle, and on and on—so many words for so many kinds of sugar. When it comes to dental health, let the doctor have the last word on sugar science. During your next visit to our Mill Creek, Washington office, talk to us about reducing unnecessary sugars in your diet for a future filled with the sweetest of healthy smiles.

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