Toothpaste Abrasion
We’ve been asked so frequently about the best toothpaste to use we thought we’d republish this post from several years back. Toothpaste manufacturers make all sorts of claims for whitening and brightening. However, those toothpastes that claim “whiter teeth” are often the most abrasive.
With all the different types of toothpastes that are being offered to us today, how do we choose the best one? How well does a toothpaste clean, and are any of the components damaging to tooth structure? How do you choose among the many options and cut through the advertising hype? What else in our diet is abrasive and contribute to the erosion of enamel?
To me, it’s important to be sure that the toothpaste isn’t damaging to the enamel surface. With that in mind, one of my colleagues at the Kois Center, Dr. Brenda Nishimura, has compiled this list that I am now sharing with our patients. This summarizes the toothpastes that are the kindest to the tooth surface and those that are the most abrasive. Less abrasive is better!
We have resumed normal office hours and are open for scheduled appointments. Please write or call and read more about the many changes we have made to insure everyone’s safety.
Toothpaste Abrasion Chart — Numbers Indicate RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity)
Very Low Abrasive
04 Toothbrush with plain water
07 Straight baking soda
08 Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder
15 Weleda Salt Toothpaste
18 CTx4 Gel
30 Elmex Sensitive Plus
30 Weleda Plant Tooth Gel
35 Arm & Hammer Dental Care
37 Sensodyne ProNamel
Low Abrasive
40 Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel
42 Arm and Hammer Metadent Advanced Whitening
42 Arm and Hammer Peroxicare
45 Weleda Calendula Toothpaste
45 Oxyfresh
48 Arm & Hammer Dental Care Sensitive
49 Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Tartar Control
49 Tom’s of Maine Sensitive
52 Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Regular
53 Rembrant Original
54 Arm & Hammer Sensitive Whitening
54 Arm & Hammer Sensitive Freshening
54 Arm & Hammer Sensitive Multi-Protection
54 Arm & Hammer Complete Care Stain Defense
57 Tom’s of Maine Children’s
62 Super Smile
63 Rembrant Mint
65 Arm & Hammer Complete Care Plus Enamel Strengthening
68 Colgate Regular
70 Colgate Total
70 Arm & Hammer Advance White Sensitive
70 Colgate 2-in-1 Fresh Mint
Medium Abrasive
78 Biotene Gentle Dry Mouth
79 Sensodyne
80 AIM
83 Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength
91 Aquafresh Sensitive
93 Tom’s of Maine Regular
94 Rembrant Plus
95 Crest Regular
95 Oxyfresh with Fluoride
97 Oxyfresh Powder
High Abrasive
100 Colgate Optic White
101 Natural White
103 Mentadent
103 Arm & Hammer Sensation
104 Sensodyne Extra Whitening
106 Colgate Platinum
106 Arm & Hammer Advance White Paste
107 Crest Sensitivity Protection
110 Closeup Paste/Gel
110 Colgate Herbal
113 Aquafresh Whitening
117 Arm & Hammer Advance White Gel
117 Arm & Hammer Sensation Tartar Control
120 Close-Up with Baking Soda
120 Colgate Baking Soda Paste
124 Colgate Whitening
125 Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Enamel Repair
130 Crest Pro Health
130 Crest Extra Whitening
133 Ultra Brite
144 Crest MultiCare Whitening
145 Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening Formula
145 Colgate Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening
Harmfully Abrasive
150 Pepsodent
165 Colgate Tartar Control
168 Arm & Hammer Dental Care PM Fresh Mint
176 Nature’s Gate Paste
200 Colgate 2-in-1 Tartar Control/ Whitening or Icy Blast/Whitening
200 Crest White Vivid
260 Ultrabrite Advanced Whitening
We have resumed normal office hours and are open for scheduled appointments. Please write or call and read more about the many changes we have made to insure everyone’s safety.