Toothpaste Abrasiveness

Did you know that all toothpaste has some level of abrasiveness? When combined with a toothbrush, that abrasiveness can impact your teeth over time. The degree of abrasiveness is measured by something called RDA—Relative Dentin Abrasion. The American Dental Association (ADA) has established an RDA scale ranging from 0 to 250, categorizing toothpastes from low abrasion to those considered potentially harmful.

While enamel—the hard outer layer of your teeth—is quite resistant to wear, the underlying structures, like dentin and root surfaces, are much softer and more vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to choose the right toothpaste. We recommend selecting one with an RDA value between 0-70 (the safest range) and pairing it with a soft or extra-soft toothbrush. And remember, brushing technique matters—use a gentle but thorough approach to protect your smile!

Want to see how abrasive your toothpaste is? Try this simple at-home test! Take a piece of tin foil (shiny side up) and rub a small amount of toothpaste on it using light pressure with your fingertip. Rinse it off under running water and check for scratches on the foil. This is a great way to compare different toothpastes you may already have at home!

If you have any questions about your toothpaste choice, feel free to ask at your next visit!

“I had my previous dentist for over 25 years. They gave me a reason to look for other options, and I am glad I found Nordonia Dental Group. I am very happy here. Dr. Z is an outstanding dentist. Everyone else I've encountered there has been very nice. They have a nice facility and are moving to even a bigger and better facility down the street later this year. There's nothing not to like. I highly recommend checking them out if you are less than 100% satisfied with your current dental practice.”

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