The so-called “terrible twos” can be a challenge for any parent to deal with. Babies start to toddle around, become more vocal, and—worst of all—are in the midst of teething.
Babies’ “two-year molars” can represent crossing a threshold—they’re some of the last teeth to come in, and some of the most useful in chewing up harder foods. If you want to know more about these molars, and how you can make their arrival as easy as possible for your child, here’s a guide that may help you.
When Do Babies’ Molars Come In?
Every child is different, but as a general rule, most children see their first top molars come in at around 13-19 months and their bottom molars at 14-19 months. It’s common for these molars to cut in one at a time, which means that it will likely be another six months to a year before the second set of them sprouts. As a result, your child’s second top molars will start to grow at 25-33 months and at 23-31 months on the bottom.
By now, you’ll be able to recognize the signs of a tooth sprouting: drooling, irritability, swollen gums, and chewing on whatever they can find.
How to Soothe Your Baby During Teething
When your baby first began to teethe, you probably made use of small teething rings designed to be chewed on with the front teeth. Those teething rings are a little less effective on the molars, which means you might want to try other soothing methods.
Your child is probably much more adept at chewing food now than they were previously, so crunchy foods may be a good way to comfort your teething child. Apples, carrots, and celery are all great ways for your child to get used to chewing, so long as you supervise them closely.
A cold compress can also be helpful for your child. Wet a clean rag or piece of gauze and allow your child to chew on it. Take it away once the rag starts to fray, or the gauze begins breaking apart.
At this point, you should have plenty of experience dealing with teething. You should be able to help your child through the final stage of it without any problems.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Rullo is a dentist who loves nothing more than being able to bring a smile to the faces of children of all ages. He and his dental team are patient and understanding, allowing them to put even the most anxious children at ease. Dr. Rullo graduated from the Western University in London Ontario and completed his Pediatric Dental Residency and Master’s in Oral Biology in Ohio.
If you have any questions about two-year molars, he can be reached at his website or by phone at 905-525-8272.