- Molars are large, multi-rooted teeth at the back of the mouth responsible for grinding food.
- Humans have 12 molars in total — the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molars (wisdom teeth).
- They play key roles in chewing, digestion, and maintaining jaw structure.
- Decay or infection in molars is treated with fillings, root canal, or extraction.
- Pain relief involves cold compresses or rinses, but lasting care requires a dentist.
Molars are large, strong teeth located at the back of the mouth that perform the chewing and grinding functions. They erupt at specific stages from infancy to adulthood and play important roles in digestion and jaw development. They may require treatment or extraction due to issues such as decay, pain, structural problems, or loss of function.
What Are Molars?
Molars are large, flat-surfaced, multi-rooted teeth used for grinding food. They play the primary role in chewing and breaking down food, preparing it for digestion.
There are a total of 12 molars in the upper and lower jaws combined. They typically have four or five cusps and are designed to withstand strong chewing forces.
Which Teeth Are Molars?
Humans have 8 premolars (small molars) and 4 molars (large molars), totaling 12 molar teeth. The premolars are the 1st and 2nd premolars, and the molars include the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molars. The 3rd molars are commonly known as “wisdom teeth.”
What Is the Function of Molars?
The primary function of molars is to crush and grind food, starting the digestion process. The heaviest chewing takes place at the molars. They break food into smaller pieces, making swallowing easier and supporting digestion. Additionally, molars help maintain jaw structure, speech ability, and facial shape.
Signs of Molars Coming In
In infants and young children, symptoms such as pain, irritability, gum swelling, and disturbed sleep may appear when molars erupt. The rear molars, which appear around age 2, are the largest baby teeth and may cause more discomfort.
Symptoms include:
- 牙龈肿胀与发红
- Night waking and irritability
- Increased drooling and chewing on objects
- Mild fever and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite and crying spells
Molars in Babies
The first molars in the upper and lower jaws usually erupt between 13 and 19 months. The teething process can affect the baby’s sleep and feeding habits. Cold teething rings and doctor-approved pain relievers can help ease discomfort.
Signs of molar eruption in babies:
- Crying spells
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Pulling at ears
- Rubbing cheeks
- Increased drooling
- Mild fever
Molars in Children
The first permanent molars erupt around age 6 and form the foundation of the adult dentition. Protecting these teeth is important for oral health, so regular brushing and dental check-ups are essential to prevent early decay.
Signs of molar eruption in children:
- Gum sensitivity and pain
- Mild discomfort
- Occasionally headaches
Experiencing Molar Tooth Pain or Decay?
When Do Molars Erupt?
Primary molars typically erupt between 13 and 33 months, while permanent molars erupt between 6 and 12 years of age. Primary molars start to emerge after approximately 1 year of age. Permanent molars first appear around age 6 and remain for life. The second molars erupt around age 12, and wisdom teeth usually emerge after age 17.
Eruption timeline for molars:
- First primary molar: 13–19 months
- Second primary molar: 23–33 months
- First permanent molar: 6 years
- Second permanent molar: 12 years
- Third permanent molar (wisdom tooth): After 17 years
| Molar Type | Average Eruption Age | 常见症状 | 注意事项 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary First Molars | 13–19 months | Gum swelling, drooling, irritability, sleep disturbance | Largest baby teeth → often more painful eruption |
| Primary Second Molars | 23–33 months | Chewing on objects, mild fever, decreased appetite | Usually the last baby teeth to erupt |
| Permanent First Molars (6-Year Molars) | 6 years | Gum tenderness, mild chewing discomfort | Very important for adult bite—high cavity risk |
| Permanent Second Molars (12-Year Molars) | 12 years | Pressure sensation, gum soreness | Final permanent molars (excluding wisdom teeth) |
| Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth) | 17+ years | Jaw pain, swelling, difficulty opening mouth | May remain impacted or require extraction |
How Is Molar Tooth Decay Treated?
磨牙龋齿通常通过补牙、根管治疗或在严重情况下拔牙来处理。治疗方案的选择取决于龋齿的发展程度。表浅龋齿可用复合树脂填充修复，而深达神经的龋齿则需要进行根管治疗。若牙齿无法保留，则可能需要拔除。
Treatment options include:
- Composite fillings
- Inlay/Onlay restorations
- Root canal therapy
- 拔牙（最后手段）
How Is Molar Extraction Performed?
Molar extraction can be safely done in a single session for advanced cases. The area is numbed with local anesthesia before extraction. The tooth is then loosened with special instruments and removed. Surgical extraction may be needed for impacted or broken-root molars. Mild pain and swelling can occur after the procedure.
Steps of molar extraction:
- Examination and Imaging: The dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays to assess position and root structure.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is applied to numb the extraction site.
- Extraction: The tooth is carefully removed using specialized tools.
- Post-Operative Care: A cotton tampon is placed to stop bleeding, and care instructions are given to support healing.
How to Relieve Molar Tooth Pain?
疼痛通常由龋齿、感染或牙龈炎症引起。用盐水漱口和冷敷可暂时缓解疼痛，但彻底解决问题需要进行牙科检查。
Pain relief methods:
- Over-the-counter painkillers
- Salt water gargle
- 冷敷
- Antibiotics if infection is present
- Fillings or root canal therapy for decay
FAQ About Molars
Do molars fall out?
Yes, primary molars fall out naturally and are replaced by permanent molars. Permanent molars usually do not fall out unless extraction is required due to decay, trauma, or advanced gum disease.
How long does molar extraction take?
Extraction time varies by tooth condition, root structure, and complexity. Simple extractions may take a few minutes; impacted or complicated extractions can last 30 minutes or longer.
What is the role of molars?
Their main role is to chew and grind food into smaller pieces to facilitate digestion.
Can molars grow back?
Permanent molars do not regrow once lost. Tooth replacement options include bridges, implants, or dentures.
Do molars cause fever in babies?
Some babies may experience mild fever during molar eruption, but high fever (above 38.5°C) or severe symptoms warrant medical evaluation.
Is molar extraction painful?
With modern anesthesia, molar extraction is painless. Only pressure and movement may be felt during the procedure.
How long does the extraction site take to heal?
Initial healing begins within days. Complete bone healing and closure of the site may take weeks to months.
Can molars have root canal treatment?
Yes, root canal therapy is effective for deep decay, infections, or trauma affecting the nerve to save the tooth.
When do back molars erupt?
Back molars erupt around age 2 (primary molars) and age 12 (permanent molars).
What are the signs of molars erupting at age 2?
Signs include irritability, loss of appetite, increased drooling, gum swelling and tenderness, disturbed sleep, and occasionally mild fever.
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