As a parent, few things are as exciting as watching your little one slowly grow up—although it sometimes feels quite fast! One thing that’ll happen early on is the emergence of your child’s baby teeth, which is a notoriously uncomfortable process. It generally begins before their first birthday, and its end is signaled much later by the eruption of the two-year molars. Though it varies, this stage of teething can sometimes bring about worse pain for children. Here’s a closer look from your trusted pediatric dentist at two-year molars and how you can help your child deal with some of the discomfort caused by the arrival of these teeth.
A Closer Look at Two-Year Molars
Two-year molars are the last four molars and final baby teeth to erupt inside a child’s mouth. They’re the furthest teeth that children develop until the wisdom teeth arrive several years later. They can come in simultaneously or one at a time, and the exact timing of their eruption varies. Most children get their first top molars sometime between 13 to 19 months, and their first bottom ones between 14 and 18 months. The second ones often come in later; between 25 and 33 months on the top row, and 23 to 31 months on the bottom.
Not all children deal with discomfort during the emergence of these teeth. However, a few signs to look for that usually indicate the emergence of two-year molars include:
- Irritability and drastic mood changes
- Excessive drooling
- Sore and irritated gums
- The tendency to chew on objects or clothing
Tips for Helping Your Little One with Their Discomfort
The discomfort caused by two-year molars might seem like a lot for your child to handle, but they don’t have to go about it alone! By understanding what’s going on and following these tips, you can help your child navigate this process with ease. Consider the following:
- Place a cool gauze pad or cloth on your child’s gums or use your clean finger to gently massage the area. Rubbing a cool spoon on the area can also achieve this; just don’t let your child bite the spoon.
- Provide hard or crunchy foods for your toddler, such as carrots, apples, celery, peeled cucumbers and other similar items that encourage chewing. Just be sure to supervise them and don’t give them pieces small enough to choke on. Chilled produce is also a smart option.
- Traditional teething rings might not be as helpful since they’re primarily designed for younger babies, but using medication that’s suitable for young children, such as Tylenol, can help.
About the Practice
Here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re excited to bring families in the Nashua, NH community an unrivaled level of dental care! We proudly offer a wide range of pediatric dental services that are certain to help your little one’s smile achieve optimal health for a bright future. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit for your little one, feel free to contact us online or by phone for further information or assistance. Telephone: (603) 605-1094.