Kids looking for a way to escape brushing their teeth just got a great excuse, courtesy of Health Canada.

The federal agency is pulling thousands of counterfeits off the shelves, including the following brands:

• Colgate Massager
• Colgate Navigator
• Oral B Classic 40
• Oral B Contura
• Colgate 360

If you think your toothbrush is a fake, stop using it immediately. They may not be as safe - or as effective - as the real thing.

Here's how to spot it: Genuine Colgate toothbrushes have English and French instructions only on their packaging. The wrapping reds "Distr. by/par: Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc", and there's a lot code moulded into the brush handle just under the brush head.

Genuine Oral B toothbrushes can be identified by the Oral B logo manufactured as part of the handle mould. Counterfeit Oral B toothbrushes have been known to have the logo printed in silver text on a peel away label.

If you're a retailer, the affected stock came from stock Canadian importer AG Liquidation.

The company has issued a voluntary recall to get those products off the shelves. The RCMP and the United States Food and Drug Administration are involved.

This isn't the first time this has happened. Back in July, a loose bristle scare led to a toothbrush recall.  

If you have any questions, call Health Canada's public enquiries line (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

To see more pictures of the brushes, click here.