The toothpaste you are using may be wearing away the enamel and dentin on your teeth, especially at the gum line! The use of "grit" in toothpaste is not unlike the use of grit on sandpaper. The more grit there is the more effective it is at removing external stain and plaque. Unfortunately, a significant downside is the destruction of tooth structure.

There is an abrasive index for toothpastes called the RDA Index (relative dentin abrasivity). The higher the value, the more abrasive. At or below 70 may be an acceptable balance between benefit and risk. RDA's over 70 may eventually cause the loss of tooth structure. The combination of high RDA, frequency of brushing, type of toothbrush and brushing technique will all contribute to abrasion. If you don't know the RDA of your toothpaste, you may find out by calling the consumer contact information on the package. The following list gives the RDA Index of several of the many types of toothpaste that exist today.

The RDA Index:
0-70 = low abrasive
71-100 = medium abrasive
101-150 – highly abrasive
151-250+ = regarded as harmful

Abrasivity of common toothpastes: RDA – Dentifrice brand and variety
04 American Dental Association (ADA) reference toothbrush and plain water
07 plain baking soda
08 Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder
30 Elmex Sensitive Plus
35 Arm & Hammer Dental Care
42 Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda Peroxide
44 Squigle Enamel Saver
48 Arm & Hammer Dental Care Sensitive
49 Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Tartar Control
49 Tom's of Maine Sensitive
52 Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Regular
53 Rembrandt Original
54 Arm & Hammer Dental Care PM Bold Mint
57 Tom's of Maine Children's, Wintermint
62 Supersmile
63 Rembrandt Mint
68 Colgate Regular
70 Colgate Total
70 Arm & Hammer Advance White Sensitive
70 Colgate 2-in-1 Fresh Mint
79 Sensodyne
80 AIM
80 Close-Up
83 Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength

Dr. Robert A. Gallegos is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, he is on the faculty of Spear Education, and a member of several dental organizations including the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Dr. Gallegos practices dentistry in Middleburg, VA. You can learn more about his practice at www.MiddleburgSmiles.com and request a copy of this article at info@middleburgsmiles.com.