A silica gel abrasive having good cleaning and low abrasion is prepared by combining
at least two silica gels before adjusting the pH of the abrasive to a pH in the
range of 3-6. One of the gels is washed at relatively lower temperature compared
to the wash temperature of a second gel. The two gels are then milled and dried
to a median particle size in the range of 5 to 12 microns. The volatiles content
of the gel combination is in the range of 20-40% by weight. The resulting mixtures
have low abrasion as measured by Einlehner, e.g., in the range of 0.5 to 3 when
measured using a brass screen. A dentifrice composition comprising 10 to 25% of
the abrasive has a PCR of at least 80 and can obtain PCR's greater than 100.
