My sensitive teeth are whiter than ever thanks to this $16 charcoal powder

Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission.

I’m one of those people who just cannot get a professional teeth-whitening treatment at the dentist’s office. I’ve tried, but my teeth are so sensitive I have to stop about two minutes in. And that’s a problem, because I’m also one of those people who drinks at least two cups of coffee a day, and I used to have the smile to prove it.

A few years ago, though, I discovered a secret weapon for gentle, pain-free teeth whitening. It’s called Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder, and it’s the reason people are always asking me what I use to get my smile so white. It comes in a little tub that lasts for months, and it’s the best $16 I’ve ever spent on Amazon.

I remember being bummed that I couldn’t tolerate professional teeth whitening. But I wasn’t going to live with yellowish teeth—and I definitely wasn’t going to give up coffee and wine. So I did my research and discovered I could whiten my teeth naturally and achieve the same results with activated charcoal.

That’s the key ingredient in Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder. It’s vastly less harsh than in-office whitening treatments. It’s even gentler than at-home teeth-whitening strips. That’s because it doesn’t contain any kind of peroxide, nor does it use UV light to prompt a chemical bleaching reaction. For just $16—versus thousands at the dentist’s office—I get the same beautiful white teeth at home.

Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder

You might be thinking, “Charcoal? Like the stuff I use when I barbecue?” No, not that kind of charcoal. The activated charcoal in Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal powder is made from all-natural exfoliants like coconut shells, olive pits, sawdust, and peat. It’s slightly abrasive and highly absorbent, so it binds to stains and lifts them. There’s no bleaching involved whatsoever.

You can find this flavorless, odorless powder in plenty of skincare products, too. It’s even used in water filtration systems, and some people take it as a supplement. Activated charcoal is so non-toxic that it’s actually used to remove toxins. It works like a charm on my teeth—but I should mention it makes a huge mess.

Activated charcoal is a superfine black powder, so it gets all over your sink if you’re not careful. It also makes you look like you’re brushing your teeth with mud, which is kind of hilarious. Just be gentle with the lid and spit it out close to the drain, and you’ll be fine. You can also brush your teeth with it in the shower to avoid the mess altogether. That being said, it wipes up pretty easily and doesn’t stain your sink.

Some people see results right off the bat with Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder. That’s not the case for me. I use it every morning consistently, and I found that gradually, my teeth started to look brighter, whiter, and less stained. The buffing action from Active Wow powder also leaves my teeth silky smooth.

I’m not the only one addicted to buffing away teeth stains with this all-natural powder. Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder has more than 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder

“I have to admit I was slightly skeptical of brushing my teeth with charcoal, but after two rounds this stuff made such a huge difference,” another wrote. “It really works and is all natural. Of course you look super scary with a black mouth but a few rinses and your teeth will be gleaming.”

“You will not notice the difference immediately, but it is a gradual change,” another reported. “I can assure you that it works, I have had a number of people ask me how my teeth got so white.”

More from Yahoo Life:

• Everything worth buying at Walmart's epic clearance sale—save up to 75 percent!

• Amazon shoppers are scooping up these AccuMed face masks—they're just $26 for 10

• QVC just chopped 40 percent off the price of the Shark APEX DuoClean vacuum—grab it while you can

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day

Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter.