What Are 2-Year Molars? Symptoms, Eruption, and Care

Watching your kid grow is a pleasant experience but has several challenges for parents. The teething phase is already tricky, and the eruption of 2 years of molars teeth are cherry on top. In this phase, your toddler becomes more fussy and throws tantrums daily. 

This blog will share more about 2-year-old molar symptoms, eating habits, and remedies to ease the process.

Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers oral care services for teething kids and adults. Get your kid’s first dental checkup done for free at our clinic. 

Moreover, consult our professionals for expert advice about tackling tooth eruptions in babies. 

What Are 2-Year Molars?

2-year molars, also known as second molars, are the last set of immature teeth that erupt in toddlers, usually at the age of 20 to 33 months of age. Their location is at the very back of the mouth, on both the upper and lower sides. 

Second molars in kids are wide and flat to assist children in grinding and chewing food and speaking effectively. Common signs of eruption include increased drooling, chewing on objects, and mild irritability.

When do Babies Erupt their Molars?

Babies begin to erupt their molars around 13 to 19 months of age. The second molars usually erupt from 25 to 33 months. In some kids, the second molars can erupt from 16 months to 18 months.

The exact timing usually varies from child to child, depending on their biological clock. 

According to the American Dental Association, the lower set of second molars erupts first. Although the teething chart varies for kids, every kid has a timeline for growing and falling out of teeth. 

Symptoms of Two-Year Molars Eruption

Toddler teething symptoms are generally similar to those seen in babies. Each child experiences teething with different signs and symptoms. 

Eruption of second molars is a miserable process for babies and quite challenging for new parents. Below are some familiar toddler teething symptoms that every parent must watch out for and consult with kids’ dentist:

1: Increased drooling

Increased drooling can be a sign of teething in babies. This drooling may cause a mouth rash and lead to looser stools than usual. 

Due to excessive drooling, your baby can dehydrate quickly. In such cases, consult your pediatrician to rule out any more severe issues.

2: Pain and discomfort

Teething in babies causes pain and irritation and makes them fussy. In addition, it results in some severe signs on the baby’s health, such as second molars causing fever and pain in the gums. 

Furthermore, there is a chance that your baby will show significantly little appetite and have increased irritability.

Look for these signs and consult with the dentist to get medicine prescriptions. 

3: Swollen gums 

Some babies show signs such as swollen and slightly red gums while teething. This happens because the nerves in their gums are close to their ears, causing discomfort that can extend to their ears, also causing earaches.

If your child appears to have ear discomfort and you’re unsure of the cause, it’s best to consult your pediatrician.

4: Elevated body temperature

Another significant symptom of baby teething is a slight temperature increase, ranging from 97.3 to 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit, which is common and does not constitute a fever. 

However, suppose your child has a fever exceeding 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or other respiratory issues.

In that case, it may indicate a possible infection or other health concern that needs immediate treatment. 

5: Disturbed sleep

Babies in their teething era show very disturbed sleeping patterns. A noticeable pain in the gums keeps them awake now and then.

Further, there are low distractions at night, so the baby doesn’t sleep well and disturbs their parents. 

How to Care for 2-Year Molars?

Taking care of your toddler’s gums is very important because they are growing molars, which irritates their gums now and then.

When your child’s second molars come in, they should use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush.

Moreover, the eruption of second molars lasts almost six months, varying for kids.

Once your child is about three years old and has finished chiefly teething, you can switch to a gentle power toothbrush for better cleaning.

Here, we share a few tips for parents that can help them pass this phase with excellent oral care:

Take away:

To sum up, teething is challenging for both kids and parents. However, parents need to know when their kids start teething.

In addition, they must look for home remedies to ease pain and discomfort levels in their babies.

Additionally, parents must share all their concerns about the symptoms and pain relieving tips to the kids’ dentist.

FAQs

How do you know if 2-year molars are coming in?

Some significant signs, such as excessive drooling, pain in gums, and disturbed sleeping patterns, reveal your kid is growing second molars. 

How long does it take for two years to cut through?

It lasts for a few months to almost six months. The eruption of second molars varies from kid to kid, as every kid has a different timeline for such biological phenomena. 

Are two-year molars permanent?

Second molars erupt and then fall out in babies. These are the last sets of teeth your baby grows and falls out before developing permanent teeth.