A Parent’s Guide to Two-Year Molars — What Can You Expect?

You have probably heard of “the terrible two’s,” which refers to the behavioral issues that toddlers often go through between the ages of 2 and 3. What you might not know about this challenging time is that your child’s teeth might be contributing to the problem! Let’s talk about the two-year molars, what you can expect, and how you can provide comfort to your precious little one.

When Can You Expect Your Child’s Molars to Erupt?

The molars are the last of the baby teeth to emerge from the gumline.
Most children get their first top molars when they are 13 – 19 months old. The first bottom molars usually appear between 14 and 18 months. The second molars, also called the “two-year molars,” usually show up when a child is 25 – 33 months old (top molars). Their bottom two-year molars may emerge when they are 23 – 31 months old.

Symptoms Caused by Two-Year Molars

Some kids seem to be perfectly fine during the eruption of their two-year molars, but others find this time to be very uncomfortable and challenging. Because the molars are the largest baby teeth, they can cause more pain than the emergence of some of the smaller teeth. Your child might experience:

Sore, visibly red gums.
Extra saliva production and drooling.
Increased irritability and moodiness.
An increased urge to chew on objects, including clothing.
Headaches.

How to Provide Comfort

Here are a few tips that might provide comfort to your child as their molars emerge:

Place a cool, wet gauze pad on their gums.
Give them apples or other crunchy produce to chew on. (Make sure they are cut into small pieces first.)
Rub a cool spoon on their gums. (Just do not allow your child to bite on the spoon.)
Let them chew on a wet washcloth.
Administer appropriate doses of pain medication. (Check with your child’s doctor or dentist so you can avoid providing too much.) Also, keep in mind that if your child’s moodiness and irritability seem to indicate that they are in severe pain, take them to a dentist. There might be a problem with the way their molars are emerging.
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Two-year molars can create a challenging time for both parents and children. Hopefully, the time will pass quickly, and your child will soon be smiling without pain or discomfort!
Meet Dr. Adrienne
Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is a board-certified pediatric dentist who is proud to serve families in Aledo, TX. She loves working with parents and their children and is always ready to give advice on how to make the teething process a bit easier. If you would like to talk to her, contact our office at 817-406-2025.