Two-Year Molars: Your Guide to Toddler Teething and Dental Development As toddlers approach the age of two years, a major dental milestone is reached. This can be an exciting yet painful period for you and your baby. However, these are the very last toddler teeth to develop.
You will notice your toddler developing flat teeth at the back of the mouth. They are referred to as second baby molars. These baby molars are important in the dental structure of your child. They help your toddler smile broadly, talk, and grind food. In this article, find out how to tell when your child is teething, molar care and pain remedies to reduce the discomfort.
Signs and Symptoms of Teething
Many toddlers go through the teething period without any symptoms of pain. For others, the emergence of 2-year baby molars can be painful. Because they cannot clearly say how they feel, some of the signs to look out for include:
- Drooling: Teething discomfort could result in a drool rush around the mouth. Your toddler’s stool could also become loose. If the diarrhea persists, consult
your pediatrician for pain remedies and further treatment. - Discomfort: You may notice your toddler biting objects. It is just a way of coping with the pain in the gums. Their appetite may also decrease, and they may
become irritable. - Raised Temperature: While it is not a fever, the temperature may rise slightly to 98.3°F. However, if your child begins to cough, vomit, or diarrhea, it could be a sign of an infection. Talk to your pediatric doctor.
- Sleep Disruption: Your child may nurse discomfort at night. This happens because there are fewer distractions than is the case during the day.
- Gum redness: The gum becomes irritated as the teeth push through to the surface. They could also rub their ears frequently. That’s because the nerves are
close to the ears.
Long before these signs show, it is advisable to observe healthy oral habits, such as routine cleaning. Usually, second baby molars begin to show as soon as the toddler approaches their second birthday. Others could develop these baby molars at 18 months. Some could experience a delay to three years.
The gum may swell and feel tender as soon as these teeth protrude. Check with your pediatric doctor if pain remedies are needed. It could take months for the teeth to form fully above the gum. Teething symptoms are likely to be experienced during this time. In addition, your toddler may complain of headaches.
Eruption Timing
The phase at which the second molars are likely to be noticed is 18 months. During this period, signs such as irritability begin. Intense symptoms in some kids only last for a few weeks.
For some toddlers, the symptoms could be mild, while for others, they could be severe and frequent. These may need pain remedies. Discomfort doesn’t always have to be part of the teething process. But please, do not ignore. It can, at times, be a sign that the molars are not developing well. Visit your pediatric dentist for
advanced molar care.
Caring for Two-Year Baby Molars
You can embrace several molar care remedies at home to help ease the discomfort that comes with second molars. When it comes to this kind of discomfort, pain
remedies and other medications should be a last resort. Even then, consult your doctor before administering any drug to your toddler. The following are some
home molar care remedies to try:
- Deep a washcloth in cold water or place it in the freezer. Then, place on the gums for a few minutes.
- Gently massage the gum with your finger.
- Make your child chew on the frozen washcloth.
- Rub the gum with a cold spoon and ensure they don’t bite it.
Also, choose crunchy foods, including carrots, apples and cucumbers. Post the infant stage, toddlers can chew small bites of food. Encourage them to place the food on the molar surfaces while chewing. Ensure the bites are of small size to prevent choking. Some parents and caregivers choose teething rings to help reduce the discomfort. The rings do not help. These rings are only suitable for the front teeth. Do not be tempted to give your baby items that cannot be digested. These can be lead to choking. Also, avoid hard plastic. It can hurt the teeth and expose your child to BPA. Things that toddlers hug around the neck, especially the common amber teething necklaces, must be avoided. Scientifically, they have not been proven to help with dental formation. They also pose choking and strangulation risks.
As soon as the teeth appear on the gum’s surface, train your toddler how to brush them. Do it twice each day. The toothpaste used to brush around the tooth gently should be smaller than a grain of rice. If your child fails to brush and floss the back of the teeth, they may develop cavities. Supervise to ensure they are brushing well.
When to See a Doctor
There are potential complications and concerns likely to arise during this period. The biggest concern for toddler teeth is decay. An overall balanced diet and proper oral hygiene can quickly prevent this occurrence. Tooth decay in toddlers must be handled by a professional orthodontist. At some point, your child may need treatment under a general anesthetic.
Should you neglect the decay, dental abscesses could occur, leading to mouth pain. Abscesses is a swelling that forms around the decaying tooth in the mouth. When the case is severe, your child could be in a lot of pain, which could then hamper growth. In cases where the affected tooth has to be removed, the teeth around will then move towards the gap. This will then lead to spacing issues later in life.
Tips for Promoting Good Dental Habits
Introduce a routine for brushing teeth. Plaque mostly settles around the gum. Visit your orthodontist after every six months to check how the teeth are developing. This could help in detecting potential orthodontic issues for early intervention.
During the evaluation, the oral dentist may notice issues, such as, misalignment and spacing. These can in the future affect the oral health of your child.
Reduce the intake of sugary beverages and food. These foods attract and increase the development of cavities. Also, choose healthy snacks such as fruits. Taking great care of toddler teeth is the best way to prepare for the oncoming adult teeth.
The Role of Baby Molars
Two-year baby molars prevent permanent teeth from developing in a mouth that is still very tiny. They prepare your child for a healthy dental journey. By the age of six years, the child will notice their first set of permanent teeth.
These permanent teeth eventually determine the appearance of the kid’s mouth. They also help in the alignment of the rest of the teeth. By the age of 12, the permanent teeth expand as soon as the 12-year molars emerge. Therefore, the role of the two-year baby molars is crucial. This makes a regular dental check-up for molar care an important part of oral health.
The development of the two-year baby molars is an important milestone. Knowing the symptoms and familiarizing yourself with the process will help your child go through that phase comfortably. While your child may have some pain during this time, it is temporary. Once the teeth finally form above the gum, they will feel
better again.