Dentists urge parents to avoid buying super-sour lollies after boy suffers burns
Dentists in Australia have issued a warning to parents after a young boy suffered burns on his tongue after eating a super-sour lollipop.
Photographs shared in the newspapers and social media show a picture of the boy’s tongue with layers of skin burnt off and bright red sores. The boy had eaten an extra sour lolly and suffered the injury as a result of the acidic content of the sweet.
The boy’s parents sent the image to CPR Kids, a first aid and safety service, to raise awareness of the dangers of the products. In a post to draw attention to the potential effects of consuming the lollies, CPR Kids said that some highly acidic products come with warnings to avoid giving them to children under 4, but dentists are encouraging parents to refrain from buying extra sour sweets for kids of all ages. The acidic coating can cause damage to the tongue and other soft tissue in the mouth, as well as increasing the risk of acid erosion of the enamel, which causes cavities.
Dr Jonathan Teoh, from the Australian Dental Association, backed the calls from CPR kids, describing sour lollies as “highly dangerous” due to their acidity. Studies show that most sour lollies on the market are more acidic than vinegar.
The latest story comes just a few months after a mother from Melbourne shared images of her daughter, who had taken a lolly from a bag of sweets belonging to her older brother. The image shows the girl crying, with a huge blister covering her tongue and bright red cheeks.
Nikki Jurcutz, child safety educator and former paramedic, said that children under 5 should not consume sour sweets as they can cause “terrible burns.” She also urged caution with older children, who may still be at risk.
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