What is the abrasion rating of Leaf Micro Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?

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. 

Leaf Micro Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste has an RDA value of 64. So it is well within the safety limits set by the FDA and ADA. 

What abrasives are used in Leaf Micro Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?

It contains four mild abrasives:  micro hydroxyapatite, bentonite clay, hydrated silica, and calcium carbonate.

• Micro Hydroxyapatite: A larger particle that acts as a mild polishing and micro-cleaning agent to gently remove surface stains while supporting strong, healthy enamel.
• Bentonite Clay: A natural, mineral-rich clay renowned for its ability to polish away surface stains and leave teeth feeling super clean.
• Hydrated Silica: A gentle abrasive that helps clean teeth by assisting with the removal of plaque, food particles, and surface stains, while also contributing to a brighter appearance.
• Calcium Carbonate: A mild abrasive that helps remove plaque, food debris, and surface stains, while also helping to neutralize plaque acids and support a balanced oral environment.

Do you know what else is cool? Since Leaf Micro Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste doesn't contain chemical additives or foaming agents that fill your mouth with suds, it breaks down more quickly. 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 Redmond find that Leaf Micro Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste leaves our teeth feeling super clean without triggering sensitivity or irritation.  Try it for yourself and see.