Toothpastes That Eat Teeth

(thanks to Trish from the Aurum Group for supplying this information)

- see also Drinks That Eat Teeth -

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. Basically, extracted human teeth are irradiated with mild neutrons, mounted and stripped of enamel. The teeth are then inserted into a brushing machine and brushed at a constant pressure and stroke speed. The rinsewater is then measured for its radioactivity and recorded. Thus after a few calculations, a score or index is given to the toothpaste. 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

Toothpastes	RDA Value
Straight Baking Soda	7
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder	8
Arm & Hammer Dental Care	35
Oxyfresh	45
Tom's of Maine Sensitive	49
Arm & Hammer Peroxicare	49
Rembrandt Original	53
CloSYS	53
Tom's of Maine Children's	57
Colgate Regular	68
Colgate Total	70
Sensodyne	79
Aim	80
Tooth and Gum Care	83
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 Advance White Gel	117
Close-up with Baking Soda	120
Colgate Whitening	124
Crest Extra Whitening	130
Ultra Brite	133
Crest MultiCare Whitening	144
Colgate Baking Soda Whitening	145
Pepsodent	150
Colgate Tarter Control	165
Colgate 2-in-1 Tarter Control/White	200
FDA Recommended Limit	200
ADA Recommended Limit	250