Toddler Teething: What to Expect
Toddler teething is a major developmental milestone that every parent navigates in their own way. From the moment babies start teething, those tiny gums begin to prepare for the arrival of the baby’s first tooth, and with it, a range of changes in mood, sleep, and appetite. During the teething process, your little one might experience sore gums, trouble eating, or start cheek rubbing and ear pulling as ways to cope with discomfort.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of teething can help you stay prepared, comfort your child, and know when it might be more than just teething. Whether it’s using a clean finger to soothe swollen gums or introducing safe teething rings, there are plenty of ways to ease the transition from gummy grins to a full set of healthy teeth.
Phases of Teeth Growth
If your little one has passed the one-year mark and has endured the challenges of teething, you may think the discomforts of teething are behind you. Around 18 months, it often appears that they have a full complement of baby teeth. However, the two-year molars have yet to erupt.
When Do Toddlers Stop Teething
Two-year molars are your toddler’s second set of molars that emerge posterior to (that is, emerge further back in the mouth than) the molars that came in around their first birthday. Second molars typically erupt between 19 months and 3 years of age. Since these molars are large and square compared to your toddler’s anterior teeth (the teeth they use to bite rather than chew), it might seem like they would cause more discomfort, but in fact, you may not even realize when these teeth erupt. Many toddlers present with minimal symptoms with the eruption of these teeth.
First-year molars typically come in between 13 and 19 months. Toddlers stop teething by three years old, although they may stop teething even before, depending on when their two-year molars fully emerge. By this time, your toddler will have developed all 20 baby teeth, which are also known as primary teeth. To compare, adults have 32 teeth, including 12 molars (4 of which are wisdom teeth) and eight premolars.
Toddler Teething Symptoms
- Individual Reactions: Each child experiences teething pain differently; past remedies can be helpful for soothing.
- Communication: Encourage toddlers to express discomfort using signs or basic words.
- Pain Misinterpretation: Teething can mimic ear infections, especially with posterior molar eruption, leading to ear pain.
- Consult a Pediatrician: Persistent fever, lethargy, or ear drainage may indicate an ear infection.
- Teething Indicators: Tugging on ears, finger sucking, and increased drooling without other symptoms suggest teething.
- Fever:
- A minor fever may occur during teething but, should not exceed 101°F.
- If a fever exceeds 101°F or lasts more than a few days, consult a pediatrician.
- Nighttime Symptoms:
- Teething pain may seem worse at night; this may be due to tiredness rather than increased pain.
- Tiredness can lead to crankiness, amplifying teething symptoms.
- Two-Year Molars:
- Ear pain and a slight fever may occur during eruption.
- Symptoms lasting 3-5 days likely indicate something other than teething.
Feeding During the Two-Year Molars
While your teething toddler’s molars are growing, chewing might cause pain. Your child might drool more and become fussy more quickly during mealtime. Plan meals around their symptoms and choose foods that are easy to swallow and don’t take a lot of work to eat. Here are a few food ideas for your teething toddler:
Smoothies. Turn mealtime into a treat that’s soft and cold for your teething toddler’s gums. Smoothies are quick to make if you have frozen food on hand and can be a nutritious breakfast option for your toddler. You can even include dark green veggies like kale and spinach.
Mashed bananas. Even easier to prepare than smoothies, mashed bananas can be mashed with a fork or a potato masher. Use fresh or frozen bananas and add a nut butter for a protein boost.
Soups or stews. Healthy, vegetable-filled soups and stews are easy-to-eat options for your toddler. Opt for smoother soups rather than chunky ones that require more chewing.
Pureed fruits and veggies. Pureed fruits and vegetables don’t need to be chewed, so this may be an ideal choice during periods of discomfort.
Frozen fruit. When flash frozen, produce contains the same nutritional value as its fresh counterpart. Frozen sliced grapes and frozen cherries are great options for finger-friendly snacks, and the cold temperature will be soothing for your teething toddler.
Chilled applesauce. Put this snack standby in the refrigerator before serving to your toddler for a cool, sweet dessert.
FAQs
1. What are the common symptoms of toddler teething?
Common symptoms include: increased drooling, gum sensitivity or swelling, irritability or fussiness, chewing on objects or fingers, and difficulty sleeping.
2. What foods are best for teething toddlers?
Soft, easy-to-eat foods like smoothies, mashed bananas, pureed fruits and vegetables, soups, and chilled applesauce are ideal for toddlers experiencing teething discomfort.
3. How can I differentiate between teething and an ear infection?
Teething pain can radiate to the ears, but ear infections often come with additional symptoms such as persistent fever, lethargy, and ear drainage. If you observe these symptoms, consult a pediatrician.
4. How can I soothe my toddler’s teething discomfort?
You can try offering cold foods like chilled applesauce or frozen fruits, providing a cold teething ring, or a damp washcloth, gently massaging their gums, and using over-the-counter pain relief as advised by a pediatrician.
5. What are teething gels or liquids, and are they safe to use?
Teething gels or liquids are over-the-counter products designed to soothe a baby’s gums during the teething process. However, many pediatricians caution against using gels that contain benzocaine or other numbing agents, as these can be harmful to infants and toddlers. Always check with your pediatrician and consult the Food and Drug Administration guidelines before using any topical product for teething relief.
6. Why does my baby chew on everything while teething?
When a baby chews on toys, fingers, or household items, it’s often because the pressure relieves discomfort from erupting teeth. This behavior is normal during teething. Offer safe options like teething rings or a damp washcloth to protect their gums and prevent choking hazards.
7. How can I take care of my baby’s gums before and after teeth emerge?
Even before the tooth emerges, it’s important to keep your baby’s gums clean. Gently wiping with a clean finger or a soft cloth after feedings helps remove bacteria. Once teeth begin to show, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and water (no toothpaste yet) to begin healthy oral care habits.
8. Which teeth come in first: central incisors or molars?
In most babies, the central incisors (the two bottom front teeth) are the first to erupt, followed by the upper central incisors. Molars typically appear later, around the first and second years. Every child is different, but this sequence is part of the typical teething timeline.
Rub Your Baby’s Gums or Call the Doctor? When to Seek Help
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a call to the doctor or an emergency room visit if your child has a fever above 104°F, if your child’s fever has lasted longer than five days, or if fever-reducing medicines do not reduce the fever. Take behavior and activity level into account, too. Observe how your child behaves and whether they’re acting like themselves.
From First Tooth to Full Smile: Teething Baby Milestones
Knowing the symptoms and the timeline for your toddler’s teething will help you be prepared when the two-year molars erupt. Teething symptoms like gum and ear pain can be remedied by soft, cool foods. Once your toddler has all 20 of their baby teeth, it’s time to keep the teeth healthy and strong. Before you know it, they’ll be losing their baby teeth and developing their first adult teeth: the six-year molars.
