Teeth whitening products can be found almost anywhere, from the drugstore to the pharmacy section of the grocery store to the internet and even at your dentist's office. If you have been thinking about brightening up your smile, there are many products available to help you do that. Some people wonder if it is painful to bleach or lighten teeth, and although there have been some problems; most of those can be avoided.

In years past, some methods of tooth whitening used chemicals that were harsh enough to strip the tooth enamel down and cause the nerves to be exposed. Before whitening became mainstream, some people used teeth whitening products to excess, causing tooth sensitivity, which could be painful or at least uncomfortable. Nowadays, the products and procedures used are more advanced and there is little, if any, pain involved in the process.

Because of the issues with tooth sensitivity, many teeth whitening products on the market include agents specifically designed to reduce sensitivity in the teeth. If your teeth are very sensitive, you may want to have your teeth whitened under the care of a cosmetic dentist who can monitor your pain and adjust the strength of the bleaching gel. If you decide you don't want to spend the money to go to your dentist for white teeth, it is a good idea to select products that are designed for sensitive teeth if you know you have that problem.

In the movie, "Mary Poppins," Mary says that "enough is as good as a feast." This is definitely a truism that applies to teeth whitening products. More is definitely not better than the recommended amount, and longer is not better than the specified amount of time. People who put more bleaching gel on their teeth than specified or who leave the product on longer than necessary or even people who use the product more often that recommended often find that they are beginning to feel pain in their teeth. The hydrogen peroxide which is often a main active ingredient in these products can cause damage to both teeth and gums if it is used too frequently on a regular basis.

The bottom line is that whether you are going to your dentist or whitening your teeth with an at-home kit, you need to follow the instructions. There are many different products available, and the instructions will vary from one to another, so don't think that you know how to use a particular product just because you have used a similar one. Always read and follow directions carefully.