I tried the best-selling teeth whitener on Amazon, and it really worked

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You only have seven seconds to make a first impression, so when the majority of the data being gathered to make that determination is visual, it pays to have nice, uniformly white teeth. They're one of the first things we see and one of the first that we remember.

Whether you’re a coffee drinker, want a more even shade, or just want to enjoy a whiter smile, it’s no wonder that so many of us have used mainstream at-home teeth-whitening products at some point in our lives.

But with gel strips and similar treatments, there’s considerable concern among users about damage to their tooth enamel and/or increasing tooth sensitivity. For many with sensitive teeth already, harsh treatments aren’t even a valid teeth-whitening option. For more expensive practices, like professional whitening, the cost is far from affordable for the average person.

These concerns are what initially brought me to the #1 best-selling teeth-whitening product on Amazon.

It's even ahead of Crest 3D Whitestrips, and it has over 4,000 more reviews. Equally attractive of a feat, it’s only $24.99 while Crest 3D is $33.68. The unsuspecting star was Active Wow's Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder.

The Active Wow powder conveniently addresses almost every concern users have when whitening: It's inexpensive and natural, so it won't increase tooth sensitivity or destroy enamel or gum health. So does it work?

The company sent over a test unit to try, and the short and conclusive answer is yes, it does work.

The refined charcoal powder is loose inside, so you have to be careful opening the container, but from there it's pretty simple: dip your damp toothbrush in the powder and brush the powder over your teeth as you regularly would with toothpaste for a few minutes.

I noticed a change after the first few uses, which is impressive, in a more uniform and natural whitening of my teeth. However, it is definitely more gradual than you might be used to if you're a regular patron of Whitestrips. Rather than an overnight miracle (or more like 30 minutes), this is now a helpful tool in my weekly arsenal rather than an immediate conversion from not-so-great to perfect. Personally, I'll continue to use it to maintain my teeth and would likely buy another once this empties — which should be awhile since there really is a ton in there for $24.99.

If you still like the drastic, immediate difference offered by things like Crest Whitestrips, this is a nice way to maintain your teeth (and keep them healthy) in between the occasions when you apply strips. Or, it’s a good way to troubleshoot until you can afford something professional.