In the Know for You to Know

Children grow in so many amazing ways from infancy to childhood. There are so many milestones along the way, including those for their teeth.

The same way you eagerly awaited your baby getting their first baby tooth, you will experience again with your preschooler or early school age child with their first set of permanent teeth.

You were probably hoping that teething was in the past. The teething you remember from your child’s baby days usually starts again around the time they’re between 4 to 7 years old with their first set of adult molars. This set of permanent molars are called “6 year molars.”

Today we’re breaking down the basics on your child’s next phase of oral health milestones, their 6 year molars.

Tooth Basics – What Is A Molar Tooth

Molars are teeth which are located all the way in the back of the mouth. They have flat surfaces with nooks and crannies which help us to chew our food.

In addition to being important for chewing, molars help determine the shape of the face and the position of other teeth in the mouth.

What Are 6 Year Molars?

6 year molars (aka “first molars”) are the first set of permanent teeth which come into a child’s mouth and do not replace any baby teeth.

You will see these adult molars coming into your child’s mouth all the way in the back in the empty space behind their last baby molar. 

So when your child has all 4 of their 6 year molars they will no longer only have 20 baby teeth, they will have 24 teeth.

Does My Child Have To Be 6 Years Old To Get Their 6 Year Molars?

Your child does not have to be 6 years old to get their 6 year molars.

Depending on family tooth patterns, how early a child got their first baby tooth, and a child’s individuality, a child as young as 4 years old can start to have their 6 year molars come into their mouth.

These teeth are called 6 year molars since on average a child can be expected to have their first set of permanent molars come into their mouth around the age of 6 or 7 years old.

6 year molars can either be the first permanent teeth to come into a child’s mouth, they can come in at the same time the front baby tooth is lost, after the front baby tooth is lost, or after several baby teeth are lost.

What Does It Mean When The Dentist Says My Child’s Tooth Is Erupting?

Eruption is when a tooth comes into the mouth and is visible.

Tooth development is a complex process which takes place in specific sites within the upper and lower jaws over the course of several years.

As a tooth grows and when it has reached a specific stage in its growth, it begins to move towards the top surface of the jaws so that it can ultimately make its way into the mouth.

What Does Teething Feel Like For 6 Year Molars?

As a tooth makes it way toward the tops of the jaws it is common to feel pressure. This pressure, known as teething is sporadic, intermittent, and can be uncomfortable.

When lower molars are coming in, it is common to feel pain in the ears. This is why some children will pull on their ears or put their fingers into their ears.

When the upper molars are coming in, it is common to feel like they have a headache. This is why some children will rub their foreheads or the tops of their heads.

Some teething signs for you to look out for ~

• Swollen and/or red gums,
• Headache,
• Jaw pain,
• Ear pain,
• Fussiness,
• Difficulty sleeping,
• Cheek biting,
• Drooling,
• Low grade fever (under 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius),
• Discomfort eating food that isn’t soft

Over the counter teething gels and liquids, in addition to teething beads (necklaces, bracelets) are not recommended as they cause more harm.

If your child’s pain is severe, the pain doesn’t ease, it looks like there is an infection, your child isn’t eating, has a fever, and/or something doesn’t look or seem right to you, don’t wait, call your pediatrician or pediatric dentist for your child to be seen in their office.

How Long Is Teething For 6 Year Molars?

Children experience pressure pain from teething as their new molars begin to move toward the tops of their jaws in preparation to erupt into their mouths.

Generally this lasts about 7 to 10 days (per tooth) as the new tooth pushes through their gums. The teething pain stops once the tooth has come through the gums.

How Do I Comfort My Child When They’re Teething With 6 Year Molars?

These are some tips to help your child (and you) feel more comfortable while they’re teething ~

• Soft, easy to chew foods like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pastina, scrambled eggs;
• Cool and cold drinks and special treats like smoothies, water, popsicles, ice cream;
• Cool and cold (never frozen) compresses with you holding the washcloth to gently massage the gums around the new tooth;
• If your child can take over the counter Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen follow your pediatrician’s or pediatric dentist’s instructions for their correct dose to help ease the pain;
• Keep the area clean as food can get trapped between the tooth and the overlying gums which causes additional irritation and swelling;
• Keep their mouth clean with flossing and brushing. If they won’t let you use a toothbrush then place the same amount of toothpaste that you use on their toothbrush on a cool, wet, soft washcloth and use the cloth to clean their mouth.

If it’s not getting better, may be getting worse, it looks like there is an infection, your child isn’t eating, has a fever, and/or something doesn’t look right to you, don’t wait, call your pediatrician or pediatric dentist for your child to be seen in their office.

What To Remember

Children grow up so fast, there are so many milestones that take place in such a small amount of time.

You go from holding your new born baby in your arms to their first baby tooth to walking to preschool to their first adult tooth, all in the blink of an eye.

While 6 year molars are likely the first adult teeth to erupt into your child’s mouth, they are important for chewing, and to help determine the shape of their face and the position and health of their other permanent teeth to follow.

A child’s 6 year molar making its way into their mouth is an exciting milestone for family’s and the time to teach and practice good dental habits that will last a lifetime.

Are your child’s 6 year molars coming in now? How is it going? Is your child older?, What age was your child when they got their 6 year molars? What remedy did you use to make them comfortable during teething? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Chat with us and Like Us on Facebook

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