SummaryToothpaste abrasivity should be sufficiently high to give effective cleaning without causing mechanical damage to tooth tissue. A clinical trial carried out to measure the cleaning power of calcium carbonate toothpastes of different abrasivity is described; cleaning power is then related toin vitrodentine abrasivity measurements. These findings are used to derive an expression specifying the toothpaste cleaning power which ensures that a chosen low and cosmetically acceptable level of stain is not exceeded providing a consistent daily brushing routine is adhered to.