key takeaways
- Abrasives in toothpaste are necessary for removing plaque, a bacterial film that develops on and wears away enamel.
- By maintaining a score between 101 and 111 on the RDA toothpaste abrasiveness chart, Davids provides an effective, mid-level abrasivity rating suitable for daily cleaning.
- The efficacy of a mild abrasive toothpaste depends on the quality and morphology of its ingredients.
Teeth are special. You only get the one adult set, so it’s important to keep it healthy and clean. While everyone knows brushing is essential to this goal, some may undervalue the critical nature of abrasives in toothpaste.
The word abrasive is, after all, abrasive. It conjures pictures of coarse materials, such as sandpaper, and for many people, especially those with sensitivities, that’s not a fun image. But teeth need an appropriate abrasive to clear away sticky, destructive plaque. It’s vital to the health of the enamel.
Enamel is the shield for the soft underlayer of teeth (dentin and pulp). It protects against physical, thermal, and chemical interactions, not to mention the chewing pressure of the mouth. Unfortunately, enamel doesn’t contain living cells and therefore cannot regenerate; though natural remineralization is possible, it’s often insufficient to maintain enamel health. That means it’s necessary to remove plaque and other enamel-eliminating debris as efficiently as possible, and the easiest way to do that is by using a mild abrasive toothpaste.
The quality of the toothpaste and its abrasive ingredients matter. There are manufacturers that use low-quality, harsh abrasives in toothpaste that are too coarse for many teeth types. Milder options, such as hydrated silica or calcium carbonate, adhere to American Dental Association (ADA) and international standards and are common ingredients in Davids toothpaste.
This guide offers an in-depth examination of toothpaste abrasives and explains their benefits and how you can judge their effectiveness.
toothpaste abrasives support oral health
Plaque is a gooey film that traps bacteria. If left on the teeth, the bacteria-laden film traps sugars from foods and drinks, converting them into acids that dissolve enamel. This weakening and wearing away of enamel can lead to oral health issues.
Abrasives in toothpaste physically break up and remove plaque from the teeth’s surface during brushing. This removal of plaque is necessary to neutralize the oral environment and defend the enamel. The goal is to find a mild abrasive toothpaste that’s effective without being too harsh.
Most manufacturers use a toothpaste abrasiveness scale to determine which abrasives or ingredients are durable enough to clean teeth without damaging the enamel.
Davids uses very finely ground micro abrasives in its toothpaste, including ultrafine calcium carbonate (limestone), hydrated silica, small amounts of sodium bicarbonate, and activated charcoal (in some formulas). Most of our products fall between 101 and 111 on the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) toothpaste abrasiveness chart, which is well within the limits of ADA recommendations for daily use toothpastes.
the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale
The RDA scale is an industry-accepted representation of abrasives and their harshness. The ADA sets a cutoff of 250 for abrasives in twice-daily-use toothpastes. People with sensitive teeth should look for lower numbered options (0-100, depending on their sensitivity level). Medium abrasiveness is between 101 and 150, which is ideal for most people.
tooth wear involves more than abrasives in toothpaste
Enamel wear is more systemic than abrasives alone. Pamela Maragliano-Munez, DMD, explains that there are three primary factors contributing to tooth wear: abrasion, attrition, and erosion.
While it includes things like ingredients in your toothpaste, abrasion refers to other things as well, such as aggressive brushing, nail biting, or chewing on pen caps or pencils. The regular use of a mild abrasive toothpaste will never compare to the physiological wear caused by using teeth as tools.
Unlike abrasion caused by external factors, attrition is wear caused by tooth-to-tooth contact. This includes natural wear from chewing and speaking, but it also accounts for habitual wear from potentially subconscious habits, such as clenching or grinding teeth.
Products on the toothpaste abrasiveness scale also pale in comparison to chemical erosion brought on by dietary acids, environmental vapors, and intrinsic acids. Soda, sports drinks, acid reflux, and exposure to acidic elements can erode enamel and weaken a tooth’s surface.
Erosion is a significant cause of enamel damage. One study revealed that out of 100 cases of problematic tooth wear, 58% were attributed to erosion alone; none were attributed to abrasion alone. Further research shows that abrasives in toothpaste within preferred RDA limits result in minimal wear on enamel.
toothpaste abrasiveness chart and oral hygiene
A key issue with enamel health is the lack of nerves. Enamel doesn’t have nerves, which means there’s limited sensation to surface-level damage. Without that sensory feedback, people may use a toothpaste at the higher end of a toothpaste abrasiveness scale.
Stains and discoloration often motivate habit changes, like choosing a more abrasive toothpaste, a stiffer bristle toothbrush, or opting for a more aggressive brushing technique.
Instead of looking for coarser abrasives in toothpaste, consult a dentist. As a medical professional, your dentist can help you identify a routine and mild abrasive toothpaste specific to your needs and wants. They can also determine if there is a medical reason for discoloration or other issues and offer potential treatment options.
oral health and brushing routine
Self-diagnosis is troublesome. What some people might view as staining or yellowing from coffee or tea can actually stem from intrinsic yellowing: the natural color of dentin showing through thinning enamel. This mistake motivates them to brush more aggressively or invest in more abrasive toothpastes, worsening the underlying problem.
Unless otherwise instructed by a dental professional, your oral health and brushing routine can remain constant: brush a minimum of twice daily, use a mild abrasive toothpaste, floss, and rinse. The bristle strength usually depends on existing sensitivity, as do the types of abrasives in your toothpaste.
For those with healthy enamel, an RDA rating of 101 to 120 on the toothpaste abrasiveness scale is considered safe and effective. A rating within this range is gentler on the enamel while strong enough to scrub away plaque and other harmful debris.
Davids high-quality mild abrasive toothpaste
The quality and type of toothpaste abrasives play a critical role in its efficacy. While the RDA toothpaste abrasiveness chart shows the abrasivity of popular brands, it doesn’t examine specific particle morphology, such as the shape, size, and hardness of abrasive grains within toothpastes.
Davids focuses on particle uniformity, cleaning efficiency, and quality micro abrasives, such as hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Our ingredients are naturally sourced and derived from minerals with a 98% U.S.-origin.
- Hydrated Silica: Known as one of the leading polishing abrasives in toothpaste, hydrated silica is a derivative of silica with a medium to high RDA rating. We use a USA-made ultrafine, spherical version for a gentler experience.
- Calcium Carbonate: This is an ultrafine natural limestone and is a staple in many toothpastes. It’s softer than hydrated silica, making it an ideal cleaner. As a bonus, because it’s a calcium source, it enhances remineralization while helping to strengthen and protect existing enamel.
- Sodium Bicarbonate: More commonly known as baking soda, this mineral rates low on the toothpaste abrasiveness scale, with an RDA of 7. Beyond its gentleness and the low risk of enamel damage, baking soda neutralizes acids in the mouth, reducing enamel erosion risks.
Davids combines these ingredients in its mild abrasive toothpaste, capitalizing on the polishing, cleaning, and acid-fighting benefits.
a premium choice for a premium smile
Abrasives in toothpaste are necessary. They are a defense against plaque and dental debris that wears away enamel, compromising tooth health and exposing you to oral sensitivity.
However, despite the necessity of abrasives, their quality, shape, and grit matter. A higher rating on the toothpaste abrasiveness chart means the product will remove plaque effectively, but it might remove layers of non-renewable enamel.
Davids combines premium ingredients for an ultrafine medium abrasive toothpaste suitable for everyday use. With an average RDA rating between 101 and 111, you know Davids is a brand to trust. Are you ready to experience the Davids difference? Shop our selection of mild abrasive toothpastes and take your smile to the next level.
frequently asked questions
Is Davids safe for everyday use?
Yes. Davids toothpaste products have an RDA score of 101 to 111, which means they are safe for twice-daily brushing. This mid-level rating on the toothpaste abrasiveness scale means our toothpaste removes plaque while protecting the integrity of the enamel.
Will gentler abrasives in toothpaste help whiten my teeth?
Davids uses ultrafine, naturally derived abrasives like USA-made hydrated silica to polish away surface stains without scratching the enamel surface, helping brighten your smile as a result.
Are there any allergen concerns with Davids toothpaste ingredients?
Davids uses naturally sourced and derived ingredients. Our products are also fluoride-free. That said, our toothpastes also include birch-derived xylitol, which some people may have an allergy for. If you have concerns about our ingredients, consult your primary care physician.
