My 16+ month old son's final top canine poked through about a week ago. Yea! Sixteen teeth and I really thought we were all going to get a break for a few months until the two-years start coming in. But for two days now, he's been shoving his hands in his mouth - like he did when his top molars came in - gagging himself to the point of vomiting. Is it even humanly possible that his two-years are starting in already? Or is there something else that I should be worried about and get him in to see the doctor? He's never had an ear infection, so I'm not even sure what to look for there.
It's possible but it could also be a sore throat or an ear infection. Some kids like to try and itch the ear infection.
Hi there -
I am a dentist. Yes, it is absolutely possibly and normal for him to be getting his last baby molars at this time. Eruption times for baby teeth are highly variable. Extra salivation and putting fingers in mouth are very normal. The pressure makes it feel better for him. Give it a week or two and they will be in and he will stop the gagging of himself.
Hope this helps!
G.
It is hard to believe what these little bodies are capable of but my son had all teeth (20) by the time he was 16 months old. It was great to just get it over with. Good luck!
Hi S.,
It's also possible that your son is fascinated with the whole gagging thing. It's a cause and effect that he is making happen! I went through that with my son for a little while.
Take care,
M.
My son is doing the same thing and the Pedi said that she thought she saw the white buds starting...he's been doing this for about 4 weeks now. My son is 14 months old. A friend's son, the same age, got his molars around 12-13 months. There is no "rule" about kids. I did find the other mama's comment interesting about the ear infection...it might be worth checking out.
Totally possible it's the 2 year molars...my son started getting his around 17 months, and had them in before he was two! These are the worst as far as I was concerned for teething discomfort. My little guy needed Motrin to sleep and teething drops/tablets ALL the time.
Ear infections are pretty tricky. My son used to get them ALL the time, and we never knew he had one until he struck a fever and had to go to the doctor. So, if you're worried you might want to give the doctor a call.
It is most definately possible that it is the molars. Both of my girls got them before two years. About the ear infection thought, I'm no doctor so of course don't take my words as absolute, but when we went through this same thing the pediatrician said that if there was no fever then the chances of an ear infection were very slim.
My daughter's had all come in before she was 18 months. Yes, it's early, and it's awful to see them so uncomfortable, but the silver lining is that once these are in, no more teething for a long, long time.
