Oral Health During Pregnancy

We have a few pregnant ladies in our office! Kim, Dr. Jung's business assistant, is due with a baby boy this month! Dr. David Stevens' wife Jennifer (who is a dental hygienist and works here periodically) just found out they are having a baby girl, due in December. 

Kim, showing us her cute baby bump at Dental Health Associates.

It is completely safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy - in fact, you should make sure you do because hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your oral health. For example, some women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent this.

In some women, overgrowths of tissue called “pregnancy tumors” appear on the gums, most often during the second trimester. These non-cancerous growths or swellings are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be related to excess plaque. They bleed easily and have a red, raw-looking raspberry-like appearance. They usually disappear after your baby is born, but if you are concerned, talk to your dentist about removing them. If you notice pregnancy tumors or any other changes in your mouth during pregnancy, see your dentist.

If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your dentist what stage of pregnancy you are in when scheduling an appointment. Routine dental exams are safe, but some procedures cannot be done during certain stages of pregnancy.

For these and more dental concerns unique to pregnancy, visit the American Dental Association's mouthhealthy.org.

Continuing Education

Last month Dr. Chris Stevens, Dr. Sean Jung, and Dr. David Stevens attended the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in Seattle. Our dentists take pride in keeping up to date with the latest technology and practices to comfortably give you a beautiful smile. Whether you need complete restorative work or just a cleaning, our dentists will help you keep your smile looking its best!

Meet Raychel

If you've ever been in our office, you probably recognize this face!

As hygiene coordinator, Raychel is the first person you see when you come to Dental Health Associates. Not only does she have a fabulous smile as she greets patients, she is also our resident coffee machine expert (we have a fancy shmancy machine for our patients).

Raychel was born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest.  She enjoyed a couple years down in California, only to return home "all grown-up." When she's not working, Raychel enjoys playing games and watching movies with her family. During the summer they spend a lot of time at softball tournaments. Here she is with a friend.

When asked about her family, Raychel couldn't resist showing this picture of her kids. Even though it was taken a couple years ago, it's still her favorite picture of them.

Raychel has worked at Dental Health Associates for five years and enjoys getting to know patients and their families. In Raychel's own words, "We’re a very friendly dental office. Patients feel very comfortable here and it's really nice being a part of that!"

Meet Dr. Kevin Kim

We have many great doctors here at Dental Health Associates! Dr Kevin Kim is seen here in this picture with our patient Natalie's service dog Gazette. Dr Kim speaks two languages, English and Korean. He served five years in the Navy and attended USC School of Dentistry. He practices all areas of dentistry, specializing in implants, IV sedation and one visit crowns (Cerec). Dr Kim is married with two beautiful children and his latest passion is rock climbing.

Many thanks to Kimberly, who wrote this doctor spotlight! To learn more about Dr. Kim and his qualifications and specialties, please visit our website.