Signs of Teething Molars

Physical Signs of Distress

• During the time molars appear, babies pull their ears and rub their cheeks. Pain from the gum area travels along the nerves and can be felt near the ears. The symptoms of teething molars are similar to that of ear infections. If you suspect an ear infection might be present, ask your doctor to check this. You should also call your doctor if your teething baby also has other symptoms, such as a fever or diarrhea.

Poor Sleeping Patterns

• Babies often sleep poorly during the time their molars are erupting. Frequent periods of wakefulness and crying during the night go hand-in-hand with the pain of teething, especially when molars are emerging. To send her peacefully back to sleep, try rubbing your baby's gums because gentle pressure can relieve the pain. Other helpful aids include a chilled rubber teething ring, a cold washcloth and chilled, soft foods like applesauce and yogurt. Avoid any aspirin-based pain medications, and use only acetaminophen or ibuprofen products that are age-appropriately labeled. Use medication sparingly because other symptoms that warrant attention may be masked.

Early Signs of Molar Teething

• Pain can start as early as two months before molars emerge above the gum's surface. Upward pressure exerted on the gums by the molars causes this pain. Blood blisters can form over the area where a molar will appear. These are small pockets of skin filled with blood and fluids seen above molar teeth that haven't yet cut through the gums.

Increased Pain from Teething

• The molar teething period is associated with the most intensely painful of teething symptoms. Babies experience increased teething pain from these teeth, which do not have the same sharp surface that incisor teeth possess. It's harder for these larger teeth with a flatter surface area to push through the gums. The larger size of these molars can cause extra pain even in babies who suffered little discomfort during earlier teething sessions with smaller incisor teeth.