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.