Over the past several years there has been a strong growth of dollar stores where shoppers can find a wide variety of household items (everything from canned goods to motor oil) in one convenient location for $1.00 Oftentimes, you can even find the same merchandise in dollar stores as you would find elsewhere for a considerably higher price.

Most people believe that this is because they've obtained supplies from manufacturers or wholesalers disposing of overstock or older merchandise for a fraction of the usual price. One of the most commonly purchased items is toothpaste. However, you might want to be cautious when buying dollar-store toothpaste.

Studies have shown that the Crest, Colgate and other brand name toothpastes weren't the same as from Wal-mart, grocery stores, etc. This is because the toothpastes were manufactured in many other countries and aren't approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). For instance, some of the toothpaste was made in South Africa or Kenya where the fluoride is ten times stronger than what we're allowed in the U.S. If we use this toothpaste often, we could be poisoning ourselves, so you obviously don't want your children swallowing this. Of course, where the toothpaste comes from can make a big difference. For instance, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has standards which are similar to the American Dental Association's (ADA).

Nevertheless, you also have to be careful when purchasing Canadian toothpaste at your local dollar store too. You'll want to check the dates on these tubes of toothpaste since investigations have shown that some of them have expired 2 years ago.

While expired toothpaste doesn't pose a significant health risk (most brands don't even carry expiration dates on their packaging), older toothpaste may be undesirable because it may be less effective or less pleasant to use due to changes in taste and consistency. Many of these dollar stores are placing the blame for these problems on wholesalers. Nevertheless, the truth is still there and you and your family's health depends upon it.

Reverend Brenda Hoffman, is ordained by the Universal Life Church, and has been delivering holistic health and wellness advice for over 7 years since receiving a BA in psychology. As a home-based professional and mother of 1, she operates a holistic wellness network. She invites you over to http://www.yourhealthyfamilyhome.com/ to learn how to improve you and your family's health.