Teething or frustration (2 year old)?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

My about to turn 2 year old seems to be chewing on things and biting her toys a lot at the moment. She also tries to bite, scratch and pinch me - mostly when she doesn’t want to do something or is overtired. I can’t work out if this behaviour is just toddler frustration or whether she is getting her 2nd molars. It has been going on off and on for weeks now - some days she is grumpier than others. I can’t see any sign of new teeth but can’t get a good look at the back of her mouth so am not sure. Obviously only want to medicate if it’s teeth related.

"teething" is a myth.

I'd get some anbesol (liquid or gel, liquid is easier to apply, but gel is harder to spill) and try rubbing some where her second molars will be when she's struggling. If she's much happier 10-15 minutes later, you'll know it was teething pain.

Thanks for the responses!

I don’t think teething is a myth. DD had a really rough time with the last batch of teeth (when she got all the first molars and canines close together).

Any tips on how to apply anbesol? I can’t get a finger anywhere near the back of her mouth without getting bitten so I haven’t managed to use anbesol recently despite finding it useful with previous teeth.

Classic age for 2nd molars so I’d assume it’s that. I would try a dose of nurofen and see if it helps.

You could try putting a bit on her toothbrush and using that to apply it, or on a suitably shaped teether that she likes. DD1 also used to like biting down on a frozen green bean – I never did put anbesol on it, but it would probably work, plus of course the cold helps.

I found with both of mine around this age that because the anbesol works so fast, they quickly made the connection between me applying 'tooth cream' and the pain stopping. Then they cooperated with it, so fingers crossed it's the same for you and your wee one.