Whitening For Life

We are very excited to share with you our new Whitening For Life Program!! For one very affordable fee, you get custom made whitening trays. At your oral health care/cleaning appointments we will give you one syringe (program includes up to 2 syringes per year) of whitening gel to use in your trays at home as long as you are a current patient of Dr. Shirk and Progressive Dental of Fredericksburg.

Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. Maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future darkening to a minimum.

Patients who have already purchased whitening trays from Progressive Dental of Fredericksburg will automatically be enrolled in this program.

To be eligible for our Whitening For Life program you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have completed a comprehensive oral exam that includes X-rays in our office with Dr. Shirk.

  • You must keep your regularly scheduled dental cleaning appointments. This includes periodic x-rays. Frequency of your cleanings will be determined by Dr. Shirk, not your insurance company (if you have one). Your long-term oral health is as important to us as it is to you. Our patients have found that regular checkups greatly reduce dental emergencies and lead to spending less money on dental care in the long run. This is why we are happy to provide this extra bonus to our patients who are committed to their oral heath.

  • You must provide at least 72 hours notice if you need to postpone or reschedule your appointment. In order to provide exceptional services like Whitening For Life to all of our patients, we ask that you give us the courtesy of 72 hours advance notice for all schedule changes.

  • All necessary dental treatment must be completed. This includes cavities, scaling and root planing, root canals, crowns and bridges, and extractions. Any type of bleaching in the presence of decay or periodontal disease is not safe for you and is not allowed. Whitening For Life was developed as program for those patients that are already taking their dental health seriously.

  • You must be at least 18 years old.

  • Program includes one set of custom made trays. Replacement trays are available for a fee.

  • Extra syringes of bleach may be purchased for a small fee if desired.

  • All accounts must be current. (No outstanding bills).

Whitening Instructions

The Whitening For Life program is a take home do-it-yourself kit to be applied to your teeth in the comfort of your own home.

• First we take an impression of your teeth in office.

• A perfectly formed tray is made for you to take home with your own kit of whitening gel.

At Home:

1. Brush and floss teeth prior to wearing the trays. To dispense whitening material, first remove the cap and put on the tip. Place a small dot on the front of each tooth in the tray. Do not overfill the tray, a small dot will do the trick!

2. Dry your teeth as best you can and insert whitening tray in mouth over teeth. Seat the tray firmly against teeth.

3. Wipe excess material from gum with your finger or kleenex. Wear the tray with gel as directed by Dr. Shirk.

4. Remove tray and rinse off your teeth. Brush any remaining gel away.

5. Clean whitening tray with a toothbrush and warm water and carefully wipe dry. Store in the tray holder or on your models.

Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Use only under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Please store whitening gel in the refrigerator to prolong shelf life. Keep away from direct sunlight.

The following are some suggestions to help maximize the results of your whitening efforts!

• During the time you are whitening, and for 48 hours after, avoid or minimize smoking, highly colored foods (red sauce, blueberries, etc.), dark beverages (coffee, tea, etc.).

• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold liquids may occur. This usually passes within 1-2 days. If sensitivity is severe or persists, contact our office.

• If you experience gum sensitivity, do not brush the afflicted area while brushing your teeth.

• Immediate whitening results can be quite dramatic due to minor dehydration of your teeth. It is normal for the color to tone down somewhat after treatment when your teeth rehydrate to a natural white tone.

• Long term results vary from patient to patient. This can depend on the original shade of your teeth and include habits such as smoking or drinking colored beverages (red wine, coffee, tea, etc.)

• “Touch-up” treatments are recommended every 6-12 months to retain color.

• Existing fillings, crowns, bonding, etc. will not whiten. Therefore, these may need to be changed in order to match your new smile.

• If your family or friends notice your new smile, please let them know that we can help improve their smile too!

*Whitening is not a once in a lifetime event – your results will fade over time. How long whitening lasts varies between each individual and depends on a number of factors, including: age, starting tooth shade, history of trauma to teeth, diet, oral hygiene, and smoking. Whitening is most effective after having your teeth professionally cleaned, and regular maintenance requires less work and less material.

Things to avoid:

  • Tobacco products

  • Coffee and tea

  • Red wine

  • Food coloring

  • Any bright-colored drinks