Teeth damage fears

Brain Licker, a roll-on deodorant shaped bottle containing sour liquid candy has become the "in" accessory for local children.

But the British Dental Health Foundation says such sugary products which are kept in the mouth for long periods are even more damaging to teeth than normal confectionery.

And they expressed concern that the design of the container, which carries a warning stating that it is not suitable for under three-year-olds, might lead young children to try licking roll-on deodorants.

Newsagents and corner shops are reporting that supplies of the sweets, which cost 49p each, are disappearing off shelves as soon as they come in and there is now a shortage.

Julie Powley, who runs J&N News on Tonge Moor Road says Brain Lickers are a best seller.

"We sold 96 in just one day. They really go fast," she said.

"I have tried to get some more but you just can't get hold of them. I still get people coming in and asking for them."

Bolton wholesalers Hutchinson and Howcroft say demand for the sweet, which first began to be imported three months ago, escalated just before half term.

"We sold out pretty quickly but they can't be imported quickly enough and orders are not being taken at the moment," said a spokesman.

But there are concerns about the sweet, which is manufactured and imported from Spain, because it is made up largely of sugar and acids.

Consumers use the roll on ball to dispense the sugary liquid, which comes in six flavours, directly onto the tongue.

One concerned Bolton parent told how her daughter's tongue appeared to be bleeding after licking the ball.

"She stuck her tongue out to her dad to show him it had changed colour and he noticed her tongue was bleeding and told her to chuck the Brain Licker away," said the girl's mum.

Bolton trading standards officers say they are not aware of any complaints about the sweet causing such problems although colleagues in Scotland have expressed concern that some children are removing the ball to refill the container, running the risk of it coming loose and posing a potential choking hazard.

And a spokesman for the British Dental Health Foundation added: "We deplore the introduction of new types of confectionery that encourage children to snack for long periods of time.

"After teeth have been in contact with anything sugary they are under acid attack for up to one hour because the sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque and produces harmful acids. Sugary products that are kept in the mouth for long periods can be even more harmful to teeth because they prevent the saliva restoring the mouth's natural pH balance and do now allow the teeth time to recover from a 'sugar attack.'

"The Foundation is urging parents to educate their children to avoid snacking on sugary foods, especially products with a high sugar and acid content."

Fears of

damage

to teeth