Spherical silica and/or silicate particles having a d50 median particle size from 1 to 5 μm, a d95 particle size less than 8 μm, an oil absorption from 40 to 100 cc/100 g, a pack density from 20 to 60 lb/ft3, and a sphericity factor (S80) of at least 0.9, are disclosed, as well as methods for making these spherical particles, and dentifrice compositions containing the spherical particles.