The difference in the second year lies in the type of teeth that come in. The first eight teeth that appear are almost always incisors: the relatively thin, flat, and sharp front teeth used for biting rather than chewing. They cut through the gums fairly easily and therefore, cause little pain. The second year brings two sets of molars: the bigger and broader teeth that are used for chewing. These teeth have a harder time breaking through the gums. For this reason, they tend to cause more pain than incisors. The first set of molars is usually cut between 12 and 15 months; a second set will probably come through in the months before your child’s second birthday. Unfortunately, your baby will probably find them very painful and will, quite understandably, be miserable and irritated for days. Although cutting molars will usually cause irritability, don’t assume that your baby is teething just because she seems cranky. Look for another cause, especially if her irritability is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Teething cannot cause any of these symptoms; only illness can. If you suspect teething as the source of your baby’s changed mood, check it out for yourself. Look for swollen and red gums and then feel with your finger. You may be able to feel the lump of a tooth underneath the gums in the days before it appears. Cutting molars also may cause redness and warmth on the cheek of the affected side. If your baby is cutting molars, the best thing you can do to help relieve the pain is to give her something to chew on. Offer your child a teething ring, a bagel, zwieback, a frozen banana, or something else that she likes to chew. A cold teether often can offer much needed comfort. (Some teething rings feature a gel on the inside that will cool inside a refrigerator.) A small ice cube wrapped in a clean dish towel combines the best virtues of any teething aid: hardness and coldness. You also can try giving her a cold, wet washcloth or a toothbrush to chew on. If teething toys and other chewables don’t do the trick, try rubbing the tooth or gum directly with your finger. Ask your pediatrician to recommend an herbal or medicinal pain reliever that you can apply directly to the gums. Also consult your doctor about using liquid acetaminophen to ease the pain associated with teething. One way or another, you and your child will get through this painful first set of molars. And in about eight months, you can look forward to going through it all over again.
