The italics and bolded sections in this article are mine, not the author’s. If you do a search on baking soda and abrasiveness, you must go through over 100 results before finding articles that will give real information. I think most CTs know by now that Internet searches are queued according to what authorities want you to know.

Benefits of Brushing Your Teeth with Baking Soda
Image by Earthworm via Flickr
“We have all heard about the many uses for baking soda, the natural cleaner. But have you tried brushing your teeth with it? Baking soda has been used as a tooth cleanser for over 150 years. Somehow it got the reputation as being abrasive, therefore detrimental to the enamel. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Toothpastes are rated on a scale from 0 – 200 according to their abrasiveness. This is called the RDA value or “Relative Dentin Abrasiveness”. Pure baking soda has an RDA of 7. The closest RDA to this is 35, which is Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste. The RDA’s for every other tooth paste on the market just go up from here. You can read more about toothpastes and their respective RDA values here.
There are many reasons for using baking soda for brushing teeth. It is not only the least abrasive substance to use but it also whitens teeth, removes stain, and is also an effective germ killer against the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.”
Read more at [link to rahbardentistry.blogspot.com]

I do mix my baking soda with other ingredients, including arrowroot.

I shouldn’t get started on fluoride, or pharmaceuticals, but will just suggest one article:
[link to www.fluoridation.com]
WHY I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT WATER FLUORIDATION
Based on new research, a former fluoridation proponent changes his opinion about the alleged safety and benefits of water fluoridation
by JOHN COLQUHOUN, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 41, 1, Autumn 1997

I understand that hygienists do take many courses and learn much in their field. But I must suggest that some of that education is, shall we say, “one-sided”, and does not encourage the patent to think for themselves or use effective homeopathic remedies. It is also meant to centralize all authority with ADA/AMA, implying the average patient is incapable of responsible research and behavior. I could give examples of how my dentist interacted with me over a few of these matters, but I’m not going on there :)

From recent posts, sounds like the title of this thread is starting to live up to its name!