Dentifrice compositions containing a hydrous silica gel having a water content of from about 20 to about 60 weight percent are disclosed. The abrasiveness of the gel is increased by contacting the gel with an alkaline medium to provide a gel pH of about 6 to about 10 and/or preparing the gel by drying and grinding a silica hydrogel that has been washed with an aqueous acidic solution having a temperature of from about 80.degree. to about 100.degree. F.