There is no one best toothpaste on the market, despite claims by the manufacturers. A fluoride toothpaste that tastes good (so you may brush longer) and is not too abrasive is best. If you have sensitive teeth, a sensitive formula toothpaste (with potasium nitrite) may help. Following is a list of the abrasiveness of many toothpastes.
The RDA value ( radioactive dentin abrasion or relative dentin abrasivity) is figured for every FDA approved toothpaste. However, this is rarely mentioned in the marketing efforts of the manufacturers, since a few of them are quite abrasive.
The ADA (American Dental Association) has adopted a standardized test. Any value over 100 is considered to be abrasive. The ADA recommended limit is 250, whereas the FDA limit is 200. Other factors that are taken into consideration are the size, quantity, and surface structure of the abrasive itself.
The RDA table:
0-70 = low abrasive
70-100 = medium abrasive
100-150 = highly abrasive
150-250 = regarded as harmful limit
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Toothpaste:
|
RDA Value
|
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Straight Baking Soda
|
7
|
|
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder
|
8
|
|
Arm & HammerDental Care
|
35
|
|
Oxyfresh*
|
45
|
|
Tom’s of Maine Sensitive
|
49
|
|
Arm & Hammer Peroxicare
|
49
|
|
Rembrandt Original
|
53
|
|
CloSYS
|
53
|
|
Tom’s of Maine Children
|
57
|
|
Colgate Regular*
|
68
|
|
Colgate Total
|
70
|
|
Sensodyne*
|
79
|
|
Aim
|
80
|
|
Colgate Sensitive Max Strength
|
83
|
|
Aquafresh Sensitive
|
91
|
|
Tom’s of Maine Regular
|
93
|
|
Crest Regular*
|
95
|
|
Mentadent
|
103
|
|
Sensodyne Extra Whitening
|
104
|
|
Colgate Platinum
|
106
|
|
Crest Sensitivity
|
107
|
|
Colgate Herbal
|
110
|
|
Aquafresh Whitening
|
113
|
|
Arm & Hammer Tarter Control
|
117
|
|
Arm & Hammer Advanced White Gel
|
117
|
|
Close-Up with Baking Soda
|
120
|
|
Colgate Whitening
|
124
|
|
Ultra Brite
|
130
|
|
Crest MultiCare Whitening
|
144
|
|
Colgate Baking Soda Whitening
|
145
|
|
Pepsodent
|
150
|
|
Colgate Tarter Control
|
165
|
|
FDA Recommended Limit
|
200
|
|
ADA Recommended Limit
|
250
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