Your 2 year old suddenly becomes a little more moody than usual. You start to think “oh, this is just the terrible twos”. Did you know that what could be contributing to your toddler’s behavior is actually their 2-year molars erupting? The 2 -year molars (also known as second molars) are the last set of teeth at the back of the mouth. They typically erupt when your child is between 23 and 33 months old. This process can be very uncomfortable, causing even the happiest child to become irritable. This is why we have outlined some general info and ways to help your child through this.
Symptoms
Your child may not be able to communicate the cause of the pain. Here are a few common symptoms to look out for:
- Your child may be drooling more than usual
- They might be unusually irritable
- Your child may be chewing on their fingers, clothing, or toys
- They might have a consistent low-grade temperature of about 99 degrees F
- If you’re able to get a look – they have red gums at the eruption zone
- Interrupted sleep
- All of the above may become worse at night
Remedies
If your toddler takes to the idea, here are some things that could help alleviate their discomfort:
- Rubbing the gums with a clean finger
- Having your child bite down on a cold spoon
- Giving them a cold, wet washcloth soaked in ice water (or freeze a wet washcloth)
- Offer them a teething ring
- Moisturizing the skin around their mouth (if drooling is causing dry skin)
- Keeping a child busy with fun distractions
Caring for your two-year-old while they are getting their 2nd molars can be difficult. The home remedies we’ve listed above may help, but it is also good to remember that teething pain is temporary and your child will feel a lot better once the teeth have erupted.
