Hi,

I just got an Oral-B electric toothbrush and started to read on
the Internet about how to brush using it. (The manual also has info
but I wanted further edification.)

In my search I came accross issues of overbrushing which I think
I do.  One of the links I came accross was very interesting, rating
toothpaste's by RDA "abraisivity values"
(http://www.epinions.com/content_3128664196)

Based on the link I will try to buy a toothpaste with a low index.
And I will use the Oral-B "Extra-soft" bristleheads.

Here however is my question. The link above indicates that using
the toothbrush with water alone produces a low RDA value of 04. I
wouldn't
question this except that I recall reading somewhere that using water
alone is more abraisive to the teeth (direct contact with the
bristles?)

I do like to brush for a long time and if possible would like to
brush using my electric brush and water for at least five minutes,
followed by a shorter run using toothpaste.  My thought was that using
water for a long time would allow descent mechanical remval of the
placque while brushing for a shorter time with toothpaste so as only
to brush on the chemicals in the toothpaste to deal with placque
chemically.  Does this sound like a descent method or can the extra
time spent with the water cause problems despite the low RDA rating
of water?

Thanks to all.

Meryl