WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TWO-YEAR MOLARS

Your child is growing up, which means that more of their baby teeth are coming in. With each new tooth, you begin to see more of their beautiful smile, but unfortunately, with the two-year molars come unwelcome pain. Learn what signs to look for that indicate eruption, how you can manage their discomfort, and when you should have your child seen by their pediatric dentist.

WHAT SIGNS INDICATE THE ERUPTION OF TWO-YEAR-MOLARS?

As the last baby teeth to erupt, the two-year molars can be the most difficult for little ones. As larger teeth, they tend to cause more discomfort because of the irritation and swelling of the gums. It’s no surprise that irritability and fussiness seem to be the daily mood your two-year-old exhibits, but can you blame them?

While it is true that some children exhibit no symptoms with the eruption of their baby teeth, some possible signs to look for that signal the arrival of these teeth include:

• Excessive drooling
• Interrupted sleep
• Sore, tender gums
• Gnawing or chewing on various objects

HOW CAN I HELP MANAGE MY CHILD’S PAIN?

Now that your child is a toddler, they may be able to better express their discomfort. To ensure that they remain comfortable and less irritable during this time, here are a few tips you can use to manage their pain:

• Allow your child to chew on a clean, wet washcloth.
• Offer apples, carrots, or other hard fruits or vegetables, as this helps create temporary relief each time they bite down on the side of the mouth with the erupting molars.
• Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) as instructed to help with the discomfort.
• Use cold teething toys/rings when appropriate for their age.

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE MY CHILD TO SEE A DENTIST?

In most cases, the eruption of these teeth will occur with no issues. While pain is likely to be the most obvious problem, it will dissipate over time as the teeth push up through the gums. However, if you notice that your child is developing a fever or diarrhea, it is best to get them in to see their pediatrician.

Scheduling an appointment with their pediatric dentist is also beneficial if they continue to complain of discomfort, as it is possible that their molars are not erupting correctly.