Toddlers get a total of 8 molars as part of their 20 primary (baby) teeth. These come in as two distinct sets: 4 first molars and 4 second molars, with one of each on the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right sides of the mouth.
First Molars vs. Second Molars
The first molars are the initial set to appear, typically arriving between 13 and 19 months of age. They sit just behind the canine teeth (the pointy ones) and are the first flat, broad teeth your toddler gets. These are the teeth that let your child start genuinely chewing food rather than just mashing it with their gums or front teeth.
The second molars come in later, usually between 23 and 33 months. They emerge behind the first molars, all the way at the back of the mouth. By the time these second molars are fully in, your child has their complete set of 20 baby teeth. Most children reach this milestone around age 3.
Why Molar Teething Feels Worse
Many parents notice that molar eruption seems harder on their toddler than the earlier front teeth were. Molars have a much larger, flatter surface area that has to push through the gum tissue, which means more swelling and tenderness over a broader area. Common teething symptoms include red or swollen gums, fussiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and increased biting or chewing on objects. Your toddler may also drool more than usual.
Because molars sit further back in the mouth, toddlers sometimes tug at their ears or rub the sides of their face when molars are coming in. The discomfort can radiate along the jaw. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger can help with soreness.
What Primary Molars Do
Molars are your toddler’s grinding teeth. While incisors bite and canines tear, molars crush and break down food. Their arrival is what makes it possible for toddlers to handle a wider range of textures, from cooked vegetables to small pieces of meat and raw fruit. Before molars come in, toddlers are limited to softer foods they can manage with their front teeth and gums.
Primary molars also serve as placeholders. There is normally spacing between all baby teeth, and this is by design. That extra space leaves room for the larger permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. If a primary molar is lost too early to decay or injury, the surrounding teeth can shift and crowd the space the adult tooth needs, potentially leading to alignment problems later.
Caring for New Molars
Molars are more cavity-prone than front teeth because their chewing surfaces have grooves and pits where food and bacteria collect. Once molars appear, brushing becomes especially important. Use a soft-bristled toddler toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, increasing to a pea-sized amount around age 3.
Brush gently in small circles along both the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, and use a back-and-forth motion on the flat chewing surfaces where those grooves are deepest. Aim for about two minutes total, twice a day. Many toddlers resist having their back teeth brushed because reaching the molars can feel uncomfortable. Positioning your child on your lap with their head tilted back gives you better visibility and access to those rear teeth.
When Primary Molars Fall Out
Baby molars stick around much longer than most parents expect. According to the American Dental Association, first molars are typically shed between ages 9 and 11, while second molars fall out between ages 10 and 12. That means the molars your toddler is growing now will serve them through most of elementary school. The permanent premolars that replace them are slightly different in shape and size, better suited to an older child’s jaw and diet.
Baby teeth generally fall out in roughly the same order they arrived. The lower front teeth go first (around age 6), followed by the upper front teeth, then lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally the second molars. So the molars are among the last baby teeth your child will lose.