As a parent, you may be excited to see your tyke’s baby teeth come in. After all, the process shows your little one is growing up! Still, you should be careful as the last of these pearly whites emerge. When your child’s second molars erupt, they’ll likely feel discomfort. You’ll thus need to guide them through that situation. Luckily, your local dental practice can help. Read on, then, to learn the signs of two-year molars erupting, how to manage their pain, and when to see a dentist.
Signs of Two-Year Molars Erupting
Besides aches and pains, the signs of erupting second molars are similar to those of teething. In particular, they can include:
- Child Irritability
- Excessive Drooling
- Chewing on Objects & Clothing
- Interrupted Sleep
- Visibly Sore, Red Gums
At the same time, keep in mind that symptoms can vary. Many toddlers show no discomfort from their new molars. Meanwhile, others have worse pain due to the teeth being large. Some kids will also complain of feeling headaches.
Managing Two-Year Molar Pain
Fortunately, you have various options for managing your child’s two-year molar pain. Some of the most common ones are:
- Use Home Remedies – Certain household items can alleviate tooth pain. For example, try placing a cool, wet gauze pad on your toddler’s gums. You could also let your child chew on a damp washcloth.
- Try Crunchy Foods – Perhaps surprisingly, hard, crunchy foods are also helpful. Chewing them can mask the discomfort from the molars.
- Avoid Risky Items –Don’t let your child chew on amber teething necklaces or hard plastic toys. These present choking hazards and may hurt a little one’s teeth.
- Take Medications –With a pediatrician’s approval, giving your tyke a small dose of pain-relieving medicine is okay. You could use well-known brands like Tylenol or Advil.
When to See a Dentist
Generally, mild discomfort from the second molars is normal and doesn’t need a dentist. However, things change if your tot’s symptoms turn severe.
If your child has persistent crankiness from the molars, see your pediatric dentist at once. While uncommon, this behavior could indicate the teeth aren’t emerging correctly. Left unchecked, the latter issue could cause your toddler to face long-term complications.
Ultimately, two-year molars are good for kids – they lead to full smiles! That said, remember the factors and signs above so you can handle their emergence.
About the Practice
Healthy Kids Dentistry is based in Silver Spring, MD. Led by Dr. Cyrus Allafi, our practice strives to give children the best possible dental care. To that end, we offer treatments that span preventive and emergency dentistry. You can thus rely on us for your kid’s oral needs, whether they need a checkup, a filling, or even a dental extraction. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (301)-871-8880.