Disclosed is a composite material comprising a boehmite substrate coated with a precipitated silica, the composite having a BET specific surface area of from 1 m.sup.2/g to 50 m.sup.2/g, such that the composite material has a % silica coating parameter value of about 5% to about 50%. Also disclosed is a dentifrice comprising this composite material. When included in a dentifrice composition, the composite material not only provides excellent abrasive and cleaning performance but also has compatibility with other ingredients used in dentifrice formulations, such as fluoride, flavors and cationic species.