Many dentists report that tooth wear, a crucial factor in oral care, is commonly seen in their practice. As each tooth layer wears away, it compromises oral health. However, to combat potentially harmful microorganisms on your teeth and gums, your toothpaste requires a certain level of abrasiveness. Here is a guide to help you find the right product.

How Is Toothpaste Abrasiveness Beneficial?

Your morning and nightly oral health routine wouldn't be very effective if toothpaste didn't contain abrasive qualities. Frictional ingredients in this product include silica, calcium carbonate, sodium metaphosphate, alumina, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. They create an exfoliating texture that removes the sticky biofilm found on the tongue and teeth. This helps eliminate cavity-causing plaque and surface stains.

When dental plaque is left to flourish, it calcifies and leaves calculus deposits, known as tartar. Similarly, toothpaste abrasiveness reduces discoloration for those frequently exposed to tobacco or teeth-staining foods.

What Happens When a Product Is Too Abrasive?

You need to observe a careful balance to protect the teeth and gums. For more sensitive mouths, a toothpaste that is too abrasive can lead to discomfort and gum bleeding. This is especially true for individuals who use a hard-bristled cleaning tool or apply too much force when brushing. This will quickly wear away enamel and dentin, making teeth more vulnerable to decay.

If you feel irritation in your teeth and gums when brushing or notice bleeding, a dentist can help solve the problem. Along with confirming this is not a symptom of a greater issue, such as gum disease, they can recommend a brush and appropriate tooth powder to use.

What Are the Proper Abrasiveness Levels?

The toothpaste you use needs to have the correct relative dentin abrasion (RDA) to protect your mouth from environmental factors, dietary acids, plaque, and wear. This measurement determines the potency of the ingredients responsible for wearing down plaque or dentin. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Dental Association (ADA) provide different RDA recommendations. While the ADA caps a safe RDA level at 250, the FDA suggests 200. With that said, the toothpaste with the highest grade on the market falls below both ratings at 163. 

If you want to check whether you're using the right toothpaste, visit Stephen R. Ho, DDS, in Honolulu, HI. With over 30 years in the industry, this dentist has valuable general and cosmetic dentistry expertise. The state-of-the-art office utilizes cutting-edge technology while providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere to make patients feel at home. Visit them online to see a complete list of services, or call (808) 949-4288 to make an appointment.