Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA)
I found the following study which I found very interesting. The Relative Dentin Abrasivity is a measure on how much tooth structure can be worn using a specific paste. Please take a look at the list of highly abrasive tooth paste and try some of those in the low category. All done to help safe your teeth.
Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA)
Relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) is a method of measuring of the erosive effect of abrasives in toothpaste on tooth dentin. It involves using standardized abrasives compared against the test sample. The determination of this value is done by determining the activity while cleaning worn dentin which is radioactively marked by mild neutron irradiation. The values obtained depend on the size, quantity and surface structure of abrasive used in toothpastes.
Since 1998, the RDA value is set by the standards DIN EN ISO 11609. Currently, in US, the claim on products such as toothpaste are not regulated by law. The procedure was later adopted by American Dental Association for measuring of Relative Dentin Abrasion Index.
RDA-Table | |
0 – 70 | low abrasive |
70 – 100 | medium abrasive |
100 – 150 | highly abrasive |
150 – 250 | regarded as a harmful limit |
Toothpaste makers regularly measure their product’s abrasivity. It’s necessary for FDA approval and usually is not required to be disclosed on the label. Abrasivity measurements are given by what’s known as an RDA value which stands for radioactive dentin abrasion or relative dentin abrasivity. The maximum value for FDA approval is 200. Kinds of toothpaste that claim whitening properties appear to have a higher abrasiveness index.
Here is how to interpret the RDA values:
- From 0 to 80 = low abrasion
- 70 to 100 = midrange abrasion
- 100 to 150 = highly abrasive
- 150 to 250 = considered harmful to teeth
The lower the number, the less enamel/dentin it is likely to be worn away. The higher the number – the more wear on your dentition. The ideal toothpaste would not have a RDA index higher than 7; therefore dentifrices with a low abrasivity index are desirable.
The Relative Dentin Abrasivity Toothpaste Table
RDA | TOOTHPASTE BRAND | SOURCE |
---|---|---|
07 | Straight baking soda | Church & Dwight |
08 | Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder | Church & Dwight |
30 | Elmex Sensitive Plus | Elmex |
35 | Arm & Hammer Dental Care | Church & Dwight |
42 | Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda Peroxide | Church & Dwight |
44 | Squigle Enamel Saver | Squigle |
48 | Arm & Hammer Dental Care Sensitive | Church & Dwight |
49 | Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Tartar Control | Church & Dwight |
49 | Tom’s of Maine Sensitive (given as 40’s) | Tom’s |
52 | Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Regular | Church & Dwight |
53 | Rembrandt Original (RDA) | Rembrandt |
54 | Arm & Hammer Dental Care PM Bold Mint | Church & Dwight |
57 | Tom’s of Maine Children’s, Wintermint (given as mid-50’s) | Tom’s |
62 | Supersmile | Supersmile |
63 | Rembrandt Mint (‘Heffernan RDA’) | Rembrandt |
68 | Colgate Regular | Colgate-Palmolive |
70 | Colgate Total | Colgate-Palmolive |
70 | Arm & Hammer Advance White Sensitive | Church & Dwight |
70 | Colgate 2-in-1 Fresh Mint (given as 50-70) | Colgate-Palmolive |
79 | Sensodyne | Colgate-Palmolive |
80 | AIM | Unilever |
80 | Close-Up | Unilever |
83 | Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength | Colgate-Palmolive |
91 | Aquafresh Sensitive | Colgate-Palmolive |
93 | Tom’s of Maine Regular (given as high 80’s low 90’s) | Squigle (Tom’s) |
94 | Rembrandt Plus | Rembrandt |
94 | Plus White | Indiana study |
95 | Crest Regular (possibly 99) | P&G (P&G) |
101 | Natural White | Indiana study |
103 | Mentadent | Squigle |
103 | Arm & Hammer Sensation | Church & Dwight |
104 | Sensodyne Extra Whitening | Colgate-Palmolive |
106 | Colgate Platinum | Indiana study |
106 | Arm & Hammer Advance White Paste | Church & Dwight |
107 | Crest Sensitivity Protection | Colgate-Palmolive |
110 | Colgate Herbal | Colgate-Palmolive |
110 | Amway Glister (given as upper bound) | Patent US06174515 |
113 | Aquafresh Whitening | Indiana study |
117 | Arm & Hammer Advance White Gel | Church & Dwight |
117 | Arm & Hammer Sensation Tartar Control | Church & Dwight |
120 | Close-Up with Baking Soda (Canadian) | Unilever |
124 | Colgate Whitening | Indiana study |
130 | Crest Extra Whitening | Indiana study |
133 | Ultra Brite (or 120-140) | Indiana study (or Colgate-Palmolive) |
144 | Crest MultiCare Whitening | P&G |
145 | Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening Formula | P&G |
145 | Colgate Baking Sode & Peroxide Whitening (given as 135-145) | Colgate-Palmolive |
150 | Pepsodent (given as upper bound) | Unilever |
165 | Colgate Tartar Control (given as 155-165) | Colgate-Palmolive |
168 | Arm & Hammer Dental Care PM Fresh Mint | Church & Dwight |
200 | Colgate 2-in-1 Tartar Control/Whitening or Icy Blast/Whitening (given as 190-200) | Colgate-Palmolive |
200 | recommended limit | FDA |
250 | recommended limit | ADA |