Earthpaste has an RDA value of 105, which is well within the safety limits set by the FDA and ADA.
Abrasives (rough substances that clean and polish) have been used in toothpaste for a long, long time. In fact, dental professionals have been studying the effects of abrasives on oral health since at least 1907!
Abrasives help remove plaque and wipe away surface stains. But as you've probably heard, too much abrasion is bad news. It can cause tooth and gum sensitivity, gum recession, tooth pain, and yellow or gray teeth, among other less-than-ideal side effects
That's why the American Dental Association created the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasion) scale. The RDA scale measures the abrasive effect different kinds of toothpaste have on your teeth.
As long as a toothpaste has an RDA value that's less than 250, it's considered safe for a lifetime of use by the American Dental Association (ADA). That means you could brush with that paste for the rest of your life without causing abrasion-related harm to your teeth. The FDA recommends an RDA value of 200 or less for a lifetime of safe brushing.
Earthpaste has an RDA value of 105. So it falls right smack dab in the middle of the abrasion scale and is well within the safety limits set by the FDA and ADA.
What abrasives are used in Earthpaste? It contains two mild abrasives: bentonite clay and activated charcoal. Both have a pretty renowned ability to polish away surface stains and leave teeth feeling super clean.
Do you know what else is cool? Since Earthpaste doesn't contain chemical additives and foaming agents that fill your mouth with suds, it breaks down quicker. That means your teeth aren't exposed to abrasives for as long, which results in less abrasion overall.
No toothpaste is one-size-fits-all. Some people may find that they need a toothpaste with a far lower RDA score than the limits set by the FDA and ADA to prevent tooth or gum sensitivity. Other people may find they need a toothpaste on the higher end of the RDA score spectrum to really polish up those pearly whites.
But most of us here at RL find that Earthpaste leaves our teeth feeling super clean without triggering sensitivity or irritation. Try it for yourself and see.