What this treatment is and who it suits
Tooth whitening uses a peroxide-based gel to lighten the natural colour of tooth enamel and the layer beneath it. It is not the same as a scale and polish. A cleaning removes surface stains and tartar. Whitening changes the shade of the tooth itself.
There are two main routes:
- In-clinic whitening: The dentist protects your gums and applies a stronger gel for a set time during one visit. Some clinics shine a light or laser on the gel. Research has not clearly shown that the light adds much beyond the gel itself. Ask the dentist why they use it and what difference to expect.
- Dentist-supervised home whitening: The dentist takes impressions or scans and makes custom trays. You wear them with a lower-strength gel at home for a period the dentist sets. Results come more gradually.
Whitening tends to work best on yellowish staining from coffee, tea, smoking and ageing. Grey or deep internal stains often respond less well. Whitening does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers or bridges. These may stand out afterwards and need replacing to match.
Who should not whiten, or should wait:
- Anyone with untreated decay, leaking fillings, gum disease or exposed roots. These need treatment first.
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Most guidance advises postponing.
- Children and teenagers. Many guidelines, including UK rules, limit cosmetic whitening to adults.
- Anyone with a known allergy to peroxide, or with very sensitive or worn teeth. This should be discussed with the dentist first.
- A single tooth that has darkened. It needs an examination first, because it may have a nerve problem.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a dental check before any whitening if you notice any of the following:
- One tooth darker than the others
- Sensitivity to cold or sweet things
- Bleeding gums
- A chipped tooth
- Old fillings with dark edges
Also book a check if you have whitened before and had strong sensitivity. After whitening, see the dentist if sensitivity lasts beyond a few days, or if your gums look white, sore or blistered.
Some signs are urgent and need care straight away:
- Facial swelling that is spreading
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- High fever with tooth pain
In these cases, go to an emergency department or call 911 in Jordan.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The platform's general catalogue describes in-clinic whitening in four stages. This describes the service in general, not this clinic's specific protocol:
- Exam and cleaning. The dentist checks your teeth and gums, notes existing restorations, and records your starting shade. Surface stains are cleaned off.
- Gum isolation. A protective barrier covers the gums so the gel touches only the teeth.
- Gel activation. The gel is applied, sometimes with a light or laser, in one or more rounds. A session commonly takes about 45 to 90 minutes.
- Result and advice. The new shade is compared with the starting shade. You receive guidance on sensitivity, diet and touch-ups.
Home whitening follows a similar first step. Trays are then made, you are shown how much gel to use, and a review visit is arranged.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Amman
This section uses only the clinic's and the dentist's records on ClinicsJo.
The clinic
- Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman. It was established in 2022 and is verified by the platform.
- It describes preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care. For this topic it lists Teeth Whitening, Laser Teeth Whitening, and Cosmetic Dentistry to Enhance Teeth Shine.
- Teeth whitening is also among its main services. The record lists 120 published services in total.
- The clinic states that treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs.
- The platform shows two approved reviews for the clinic, with an average rating of 5.
The dentist
- Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan practises at the clinic and has 15 years of experience.
- He holds a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University.
- His biography mentions dental practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- His listed further training covers implants (ICOI, 2018), clear aligners (Align Technology Academy, 2020), and microscope-assisted endodontics (Jordanian Academy of Dentistry, 2022). None of these courses is specifically about whitening.
- Cosmetic dentistry is among the services he provides. Tooth yellowing and tooth sensitivity are among the conditions listed in his record.
- He speaks Arabic and English.
- His record shows three approved reviews, with an average rating of 5. That is a small number of reviews, so weigh it alongside your own consultation.
- His record lists the first consultation as free.
The records do not name a gel brand, a gel strength or a specific light system. Ask about these directly.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Are my teeth and gums healthy enough to whiten now, or does something need treating first?
- Is in-clinic, home or combined whitening more suitable for my stains, and why?
- If you use a light or laser, what does it add in my case?
- What gel do you use, at what strength, and how will my gums be protected?
- Which of my fillings or crowns will not change colour, and might they need replacing afterwards?
- What shade change is realistic for me, and how will you record it?
- How do you manage sensitivity, and when should I contact you?
- What does the cost include, such as cleaning, trays and touch-up gel? The cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
Sensitivity
Temporary sensitivity and mild gum irritation are the most common side effects. They usually settle within a few days. The dentist may suggest a toothpaste for sensitive teeth or a short pause between home sessions.
Protecting the new shade
For the first day or two, many dentists advise limiting strongly coloured food and drink, such as coffee, tea, cola, red sauces and cigarettes. Teeth can pick up stain more easily during this time.
How long it lasts
Whitening is not permanent. How long the shade holds varies from person to person. Coffee, tea and smoking shorten it most.
Keeping the result
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Have regular check-ups and cleanings.
- Rinse with water after dark drinks.
- Use occasional supervised touch-ups if the dentist recommends them.
Kits and salons
Avoid repeated over-the-counter kits or whitening at beauty salons without a dentist's assessment. Guidance from bodies such as the NHS and ADA warns that unsupervised whitening can harm gums and enamel.
Results differ between people. No one can promise a particular shade.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is recorded at Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين), Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, in Tabarbour, Amman. It sees patients from across the city.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed in the confirmed hours.
You can book through the contact button on this page. Mention that you are asking about whitening, so the first visit can include an examination and a shade check.