Good explanation about the RDA scores—I didn't realize gels were usually lower. Makes sense though, since gritty pastes do feel harsher sometimes. I switched to gel a while back because my dentist mentioned I was brushing too aggressively (oops...). Honestly, it felt weird at first, but now I prefer it. My teeth definitely feel less sensitive afterward. But yeah, as long as there's fluoride, you're probably good either way. Nice breakdown!
"I switched to gel a while back because my dentist mentioned I was brushing too aggressively (oops...). Honestly, it felt weird at first, but now I prefer it."
Interesting point about aggressive brushing—I hadn't considered that the texture of toothpaste could influence brushing technique. My daughter recently had similar feedback from her dentist about brushing too hard, and we were advised to switch brushes rather than toothpaste types. But now I'm wondering if trying a gel might also help her ease up a bit.
Personally, I've always used paste and haven't noticed much sensitivity, but maybe that's just habit talking. It makes sense that gels would have lower abrasiveness scores; perhaps that's why they're often marketed as being gentler on enamel? Still, I wonder if there's any noticeable difference in plaque removal between gels and pastes... Has anyone come across studies comparing their effectiveness directly? Either way, it's reassuring to know fluoride content is the main thing to look out for.
I haven't dug too deep into formal studies, but from what I've read (and heard from my own dentist), both gels and pastes are equally effective at plaque removal as long as they have fluoride. The abrasiveness varies more by brand and formula than by gel vs paste, so checking the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity) value can help you pick something gentler.
My nephew had the same issue with aggressive brushing, and switching to a softer brush definitely helped...but honestly, changing to a gel toothpaste seemed to make him more mindful about pressure too. Something about the smoother texture made him slow down and brush lighter.
Might be worth experimenting with your daughter to see if the gel helps her ease up naturally. Either way, sounds like you're already on top of things!
Interesting point about the gel texture helping your nephew slow down...never thought about texture influencing brushing habits. I've always stuck with paste because gels somehow feel less effective to me (probably just psychological, I know). But now I'm wondering if switching to gel might help me ease up too—my dentist keeps mentioning my gum recession from brushing too hard, and it's honestly stressing me out a bit.
Quick question though: does anyone know if gels tend to have lower RDA values overall, or is it really just brand-specific? I've been checking labels lately, but it's hard to find consistent info online.
That's actually a really thoughtful angle about texture influencing brushing pressure—I hadn't considered that either. From what I've read, RDA values aren't consistently lower in gels; it's definitely more brand-specific. Some gels can be surprisingly abrasive, while certain pastes are gentle. I'd say keep checking labels and maybe experiment with a gel that's specifically marketed as gentle or sensitive...might help ease your mind about the gum recession thing. Good luck!
