Toothpaste RDA: What It Is and Why It Matters

Toothpaste RDA (Relative Dentine Abrasivity) plays a vital role in protecting your enamel and ensuring safe, effective cleaning. If you’ve ever wondered whether your toothpaste might be too harsh—or not effective enough—understanding RDA is key. In this blog, we’ll break down what it means and how to choose the right RDA for your daily routine.

Why RDA Matters in Your Toothpaste

When selecting a toothpaste, it’s easy to focus on flavour or whitening claims—but have you ever checked how abrasive it is? That’s where Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) comes in. This scale helps you understand how gently—or aggressively—a toothpaste cleans your teeth.

RDA is a universal measure of how much a toothpaste can wear away at dentin, the sensitive layer beneath your enamel. The higher the number, the more abrasive it is. Choosing a product with the right RDA level helps maintain long-term oral health.

Understanding the RDA Scale

Here’s how the RDA scale is typically categorised:

• 0–70: Low Abrasive – Safe for daily use
• 71–100: Medium Abrasive – Effective but should be used with care
• 101–150: Highly Abrasive – Good for stain removal but not for everyday use
• 151–250: Potentially Harmful – May damage enamel with regular use

Why Abrasiveness Matters

Highly abrasive products may help remove surface stains but can slowly wear away enamel. Once enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced, leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity. That’s why using a gentle, safe toothpaste is so important—especially if you brush more than twice a day or have sensitive teeth.

What to Watch For

• Whitening and charcoal toothpastes often have higher abrasivity to lift stains.
• Sensitive toothpastes usually have lower levels, helping reduce discomfort.
• RDA values are especially important for people with receding gums or after professional whitening treatments.

Find the Right Fit

A good middle ground for most people is an RDA between 50 and 70. If you’re unsure what works best for your needs, consult your dentist or oral hygienist. At Smilerite, we make it easier by listing this value in our product details—so you can shop with confidence.

From gentle pastes for everyday use to specialised products for deep cleaning or sensitivity, we stock a range of options to suit every smile.

🛍️ Browse our toothpaste collection now

📧 Have questions? Reach out to us at info@smilerite.co.za