If you buy toothpaste at some discount dollar stores, your teeth may pay the price. Toothpastes that violate government regulations are being sold in Wichita. These toothpastes are popular brands that many of us use every day. They might seem normal, but these toothpastes do not meet government regulations meant to keep you safe.

They are toothpastes made outside the U.S. and are not subject to us regulations. KAKE News found them at several area Dollar Tree stores. These toothpastes are not subject to U.S. safety regulations and not meant to be sold here.

How can you spot illegal toothpastes? Look closely at the labels. You'll see they're made in other countries. KAKE News found one tube of banned toothpaste from South Africa. It's produced to meet the specific guidelines of that country, but the levels of fluoride it contains are three to four times higher than what the us food and drug administration allows.

Wichita dentist Dr. Ted Mason says it is possible for children to ingest too much fluoride. He says it can leave little brown spots on your teeth called fluorosis.

Toothpastes from other countries can also contain chemicals not allowed in the U.S. The FDA requires toothpastes to list all the active and inactive ingredients they contain. Most of the banned toothpastes only list one ingredient.

KAKE News asked the corporate office of Dollar Tree if they were aware their stores are selling toothpastes that violate FDA regulations. They refused to comment.

Meanwhile, the FDA is investigating how the foreign toothpastes are getting to U.S. stores. They tell us they have found evidence of a continuing problem of imported toothpaste products with more than one fluoride ingredient, fluoride at a level higher than allowed, or other non-permitted ingredients turning up in U.S. stores. The FDA says it's investigating toothpastes imported from several other countries, including England, Brazil, and Italy.

Toothpaste manufacturers say regardless of the country of origin, their product is safe to use. But, they say they do not condone or allow the importation of foreign products into the U.S.

Since some of these banned toothpastes are getting in, it's up to you to check the labels carefully. Make sure the label lists all active and inactive ingredients.