We've received questions from some users who noticed that after switching to our Organic Low Abrasion Toothpaste, their teeth appeared grayer or more translucent. While this can be surprising, it's important to understand what may actually be happening, and why we intentionally formulated our toothpaste the way we did.
Our Philosophy: Protect Enamel First
Our Organic Low Abrasion Toothpaste has an exceptionally low Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) of approximately 12, making it one of the least abrasive toothpastes available.
This was a deliberate choice.
Rather than relying on abrasive polishing agents to create the appearance of whiter teeth, we designed our toothpaste to provide effective daily cleaning while helping minimize unnecessary wear on enamel over time.
Why Might Teeth Look Grayer or More Translucent?
Instead, a few factors may explain why some people notice a change in appearance after switching.
Many conventional toothpastes whiten primarily by polishing away surface stains with abrasive ingredients.
Our toothpaste gently cleans the tooth surface without relying on heavy abrasion. As coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and other surface stains are removed, your teeth's natural color becomes more visible.
Natural teeth are not perfectly opaque white. Healthy enamel is naturally translucent, especially near the biting edges of the front teeth.
Many adults already have some degree of enamel thinning from years of:
Surface stains can sometimes mask these natural characteristics. Once those stains are removed, existing translucency may simply become more noticeable.
The biting edges of front teeth contain less dentin beneath the enamel than the rest of the tooth.
Because dentin provides much of a tooth's warm color, these edges naturally appear more translucent, and can sometimes look slightly gray or bluish under certain lighting conditions.
This is a normal characteristic of healthy teeth.
Why We Chose a Low Abrasion Formula
There is often a tradeoff between aggressive stain removal and long-term enamel preservation.
Highly abrasive toothpastes can produce an immediate polished appearance, but increased abrasion over time may contribute to wear of both enamel and exposed root dentin.
We chose a different approach.
Our goal is to provide a toothpaste that people can use every day while minimizing unnecessary abrasion. We believe protecting enamel for the long term is more important than creating a temporary cosmetic effect through aggressive polishing.
The Role of Our On-Demand Tooth Polish
For those who prefer additional stain removal or a brighter polished appearance, we created our Tooth Polish as a companion product.
Rather than increasing the abrasiveness of a toothpaste used multiple times every day, we separate these functions:
This allows people to customize the amount of polishing they want while reducing unnecessary daily wear on their enamel.
When to Talk to Your Dentist
If you notice persistent changes in tooth appearance, increasing transparency, or tooth sensitivity, it's always a good idea to consult your dentist.
Our Commitment
Every formulation decision we make reflects our philosophy of supporting long-term oral health. Our Organic Low Abrasion Toothpaste was intentionally designed to clean effectively while helping preserve one of your body's most valuable resources, your enamel.
For those seeking additional polishing, our Tooth Polish provides a simple way to enhance stain removal without compromising the gentle nature of your everyday brushing routine.
Pair the Organic Low Abrasion Toothpaste with the On-Demand Tooth Polish for a routine you can fully customize.
