Teething Symptoms at 18 Months: How to Soothe Molars

Hello, lovely Mama—welcome!

I can already guess how your week is going. You’re exhausted. Your coffee has likely gone cold three times today. That sweet baby of yours has turned into a cranky, tearful little boss who’s hard to please.

I understand you, Mama. I’ve been exactly where you are right now.

When my children turned 18 months old, I felt like we had parenting all figured out. They slept soundly through the night, ate their solid foods well, and spent the day giggling. Then, suddenly, everything changed. Those sweet smiles turned into constant irritability. Those long, peaceful nights turned into waking up at 2:00 AM with big, streaming tears. I remember sitting in a dark room, rocking my crying babies. I wondered what had happened to my happy, playful children.

Then, the realization hit me—or rather, I felt it when I gently ran a clean finger along their gums to check. Those big, broad, flat back teeth—the molars—were trying to break through the gums.

Teething molars is a whole new ball game. It's much tougher than getting those little front teeth first. Front teeth are sharp like knives, so they slice through the gums quickly. But molars? Molars are large, square, and flat. They don't cut through the gums. They also push hard as they come in, causing swelling, pain, and restlessness. It's a tough time for our little ones. They can't grasp why their mouths feel heavy and sore.

But please, always remember that this is a brief, temporary phase, and together we will get through it. Let’s look at the signs that show the pain is from molars coming in. Then, I’ll share my proven tips to help your child smile again.

Is It Really Molars? Signs to Watch For

Sometimes it is hard to tell if your 18-month-old is just having a bad day, coming down with a little bug, or cutting teeth. Because toddlers cannot fully tell us what hurts yet, we have to look for clues.

When those big back molars start moving underneath the gums, your toddler will usually show a few very specific signs:

• Heavy Drooling and a Little Chin Rash: You might notice your little one is suddenly soaking through their shirts with drool again, just like they did when they were a tiny infant. All that extra saliva is actually nature's way of trying to cool down and soothe those hot, inflamed gums. Sometimes, all that wetness can cause a little red, bumpy rash on their chin or cheeks.
• The Constant Need to Chew: Your toddler will start shoving everything into the back of their mouth. You might see them gnawing on their blocks, their plastic books, their own fingers, or even your shoulder while you are holding them. They are looking for hard pressure to push back against the pain.
• Ear Pulling and Cheek Rubbing: This is a big one that catches many moms off guard! The nerves in the jaw line run very close to the ears. When the back molars swell up, that throbbing ache can actually travel up into their ears. If you see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling on their ears while crying, it might not be an ear infection at all—it is often just those sneaky molars.
• Tossing and Turning at Night: Teething pain always seems to get worse at night. During the day, our busy toddlers are distracted by toys, songs, and looking out the window. But when the house gets quiet and they lie down to sleep, there are no distractions left, and the blood rushes to their head, making their gums throb even more.
• Food Striking: Eating can hurt when your gums are sore! Don't be alarmed if your normally great eater suddenly refuses their favorite crunchy or warm foods. They are not being picky; their little mouth is just too tender to chew right now.

A quick note from one mom to another: While a very slight, mild warmth can sometimes happen with teething, a real, high fever is not caused by teeth. If your sweet baby has a fever over 100.4 degrees, diarrhea, or is throwing up, please give your pediatrician a call, because they might have picked up a common toddler virus.

How to Soothe Those Back Molars: My Best Mom Tips

Now for the good part! When your little one is hurting, you want to fix it right away. Over the years, I have tried just about everything, and these are the safe, gentle, and deeply comforting tricks that truly work to bring relief.

1. The Magic Cold Washcloth Trick

This is the simplest, cheapest, and most magical tool in your mom toolkit! Take a clean, soft baby washcloth and wet it with water (or even chamomile tea if you like). Wring it out so it is just damp, and roll it up tightly. Put it in the refrigerator for a little while until it gets nice and cold.

• Give it to your toddler to chew on. The cold temperature acts like a gentle numbing pack for the swelling, and the texture of the cloth feels amazing against their itchy, sore gums.
• Mom tip: Tie a little knot in one end of the damp washcloth before chilling it. That little knot creates a perfect, firm lump that fits right into the back corners of their mouth where those molars are hiding.

2. Give a Loving Gum Massage

Never underestimate the power of your own loving touch. Wash your hands thoroughly with cool water, sit your toddler in your lap, and gently slip your index finger into their mouth. Find the swollen spot in the back and rub it in small, gentle circles, pressing down just a little bit.

• The firm pressure from your finger helps counteract the upward pressure of the tooth trying to break through.
• Your toddler might try to bite down on your finger at first, and that is okay! Let them gnaw on your knuckle for a minute if it helps them feel better. It is a beautiful way to bond and comfort them when they feel overwhelmed by the pain.

3. Bring on the Chilled Smoothies and Soft Foods

Since chewing hard foods can cause sharp pains right now, switch things up at mealtime. Think cold, smooth, and easy to swallow.

• Offer them cold applesauce, chilled yogurt, mashed bananas, or cool fruit smoothies.
• You can also use those wonderful little silicone or mesh baby feeders. Put a few pieces of chilled soft fruit inside and let them chomp away safely without any fear of choking. The cold food feels like a treat, and the chewing helps pop that tooth right through.

4. Use Solid Rubber Teething Toys

At 18 months, those strong little toddler jaws can easily break or puncture liquid-filled teething rings. To keep your sweet baby safe, make sure you only buy teething toys made of solid rubber or sturdy silicone.

• Put these solid toys in the fridge to get chilly before giving them to your child.
• Safety warning: Please avoid putting teething toys in the freezer, as items frozen solid can be too harsh and can actually hurt their delicate gums. Also, skip the amber teething necklaces, as they can be a dangerous choking or strangulation hazard. Stick to safe, simple toys you can watch them play with.

5. Protect that Sweet Little Chin

To prevent a painful, itchy drool rash from developing on their chin and neck, keep a soft cloth close by to gently pat their face dry throughout the day. Don't rub hard, just pat gently. Before bedtime, you can apply a thin, safe layer of plain petroleum jelly or a gentle, water-based baby cream around their lips and chin. This creates a safe shield so the wet drool doesn't irritate their skin while they sleep.

6. Safe, Extra Help for the Hardest Nights

If you have tried the washcloths, the snacks, and the massages, and your poor baby is still crying, completely miserable, and unable to sleep, it is perfectly okay to look for extra help. Talk to your pediatrician about giving a weight-appropriate dose of children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen right before bed to take the edge off the pain.

• Make sure to double-check the physical label on the bottle to confirm the exact amount for your child's current weight, or give your doctor's office a quick call to be absolutely sure.
• Try to save medicine for those really rough nights so everyone can get the restful sleep they need to stay healthy.
• Please stay away from over-the-counter numbing teething gels or rubbing gels. Health experts warn that these gels wash away with drool very quickly anyway, and they can contain ingredients that aren't safe for small children. Stick to simple, safe solutions.

You've Got This, Mama!

On the days when the crying feels too loud and your patience feels too thin, close your eyes and remember: this is not forever. Your toddler isn't trying to give you a hard time; they are just having a hard time. They are looking to you because you are their safe harbor, their cozy blanket, and the person who makes the whole world feel okay.

Give yourself some grace today. Order takeout for dinner, leave the laundry in the basket, and just cuddle your sweet baby on the couch. Turn on a fun movie, sing some silly songs to distract them, and give them all the extra hugs they need. Soon enough, that little white tooth will finally peek through the surface, the pain will fade away, and your happy, giggling toddler will be right back in your arms.

You are a wonderful mother, and your baby is so lucky to have you. Hang in there, love!

Medical Disclaimer: 

This blog post is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is based on personal motherly experiences and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, symptoms, or before starting any new remedies or medications. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.