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Adult Toothpaste RDA Guide
Is Your Toothpaste Damaging Your Enamel?
Protecting your enamel is crucial for long-term oral health. The Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale measures how harsh a toothpaste is on your teeth. Use this comprehensive, adult-only guide to find the safest options for your daily routine.
Quick Reference Guide to RDA Scale
0 – 70 (Low): Ideal for sensitive teeth and daily use.
71 – 100 (Medium): Safe for standard daily plaque and stain removal.
101 – 150 (High): Use with caution; can cause enamel wear over time.
151 – 250 (Harmful): Regarded as harmful for long-term daily use.
Understanding the RDA Scale
How It Is Compiled
These values are determined by certified independent laboratories (like the Oral Health Research Institute) using standardized radioactive dentin testing on behalf of the ADA.
Why It Matters
Abrasives help remove surface stains, but a value too high can permanently cut into your enamel and expose the sensitive dentin layer, leading to pain, sensitivity, and decay.
Why It’s Not On The Box
The FDA requires toothpastes to be under 200 RDA, but doesn’t mandate printing the exact score. Manufacturers often keep these values in professional clinical data sheets rather than retail packaging.
Very Low Abrasive
RDA 0 – 39
| RDA | Toothpaste Brand / Type |
|---|---|
| 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
RDA 40 – 70
| RDA | Toothpaste Brand / Type |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
RDA 71 – 99
| RDA | Toothpaste Brand / Type |
|---|---|
| 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
RDA 100 – 149
| RDA | Toothpaste Brand / Type |
|---|---|
| 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
RDA 150+
| RDA | Toothpaste Brand / Type |
|---|---|
| 150 | Pepsodent (given as upper bound) |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RDA for toothpaste abrasiveness chart?
The Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) chart is a standardized scale created to measure the erosive effects of toothpaste on tooth dentin and enamel. It helps consumers and dentists identify which toothpastes are safe for daily use and which are too harsh.
Does using toothpaste for sensitive teeth help with abrasion?
Yes, toothpastes for sensitive teeth are specifically formulated to be gentle on enamel. They typically have a low RDA value to prevent further tooth wear, and contain active ingredients like potassium nitrate to soothe exposed nerves.
What is the RDA for Sensodyne?
Standard Sensodyne toothpastes (like ProNamel or Fresh Mint) typically fall between an RDA of 34 and 79, making them Low to Medium abrasive and safe for daily use. However, “Sensodyne Extra Whitening” is slightly more abrasive with a score of 104.
Why do dentists always recommend Sensodyne?
Dentists frequently recommend Sensodyne because it strikes an excellent balance: it is low enough on the RDA scale to protect worn enamel, while effectively delivering fluoride and potassium nitrate to block pain signals from sensitive teeth.
Helpful Resources
References & Testing Sources
Protect Your Enamel with 209 NYC Dental
Have concerns about enamel wear, sensitivity, or your daily oral care routine? Our experienced team is here to provide personalized recommendations and comprehensive care for your smile.
Schedule a consultation with our dentists today.
209 NYC Dental
209 E 56th Street, 1st Floor
Manhattan, NY 10022
Between 2nd & 3rd Avenue | Midtown East
