Parent Dental Education

When Do Molars Come In? The Arrival of Your Child’s Chewing Champions

Q: What age do the back molars come in?

Back molars usually come in at two main stages. First permanent molars often appear around age 6 to 7, while second molars usually come in around age 11 to 13. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, may develop later in the teen years or early adulthood.

Q: When do 2 year old molars come in?

The molars often called '2-year molars' usually erupt between 23 and 33 months of age. These are the second baby molars and are often one of the last primary teeth to come in.

Q: Do molars come in at age 6?

Yes. The first permanent molars often come in around age 6 to 7, which is why they are commonly called 6-year molars. These teeth usually erupt behind the baby teeth rather than replacing them right away.

Q: Can a 5 year old get 6 year molars?

Yes, some children may get their first permanent molars a little earlier, including around age 5. Every child develops at a slightly different pace, so small variations can be normal.

Q: Are molars coming in painful?

Molars coming in can be uncomfortable for some children. Common signs may include sore gums, drooling, irritability, chewing on objects, and mild sleep changes. Symptoms are usually temporary, but a dentist can help if discomfort seems severe or unusual.

Q: Do kids lose their back molars?

Kids do lose their baby molars as their permanent teeth come in. However, permanent back molars are meant to last into adulthood and do not naturally fall out.

Feb 19, 2024

TLDR: Molars play a big role in your child’s ability to chew, grow, and thrive—and knowing when they come in can help you feel more confident through every stage. This guide walks you through when baby and adult molars develop, so you understand when kids get their molars, including those important back molars, and what’s normal along the way.

Baby molars typically come in between 13–33 months, including the “2-year molars” stage
Yes, kids do lose baby molars—but adult molars are designed to last a lifetime
Kids get their first permanent molars around age 6–7 (often called 6-year molars)
Second molars come in around 11–13 years, with wisdom teeth developing later in the teen years
It’s normal for molars coming in to cause temporary discomfort like sore gums, drooling, and fussiness

Here at The Super Dentists’, we refer to molars as the “chewing champions” of the mouth because they have the largest surface area of any tooth with prominent raised bumps called cusps that interlock with the opposing molars to make grinding food easier.

Molars also have the thickest enamel of any tooth in the human mouth, not to mention multiple long roots and a position in the back of the mouth where jaw muscles are strongest.

Needless to say, eating without molars is not an easy task. But with molars? Piece of cake!

So when do molars come in, exactly, and when specifically do kids get back molars? To better understand the answer to these questions, we’re going to take you on a quick journey through how and when human baby molars fall out and adult molars appear.

Molar Types: Primary vs. Permanent

Molars, like all human teeth, come in two types: primary and permanent (also called “baby teeth” and “adult teeth” respectively). Baby molars erupt (“come in” at different times relative to one another and then shed (“fall out”) at other times, making way for adult molars to “come in”, or erupt.

Oral Development 101: A Crash Course in Odontogenesis

Before we talk molars, let’s talk teeth, generally speaking. There are two types of teeth, each of which develops in stages. The process of formation, eruption, and integration with surrounding tissues is what’s known as Odontogenesis.

There are also four unique categories of teeth, of which molars are one. These are:

Molars
Premolars
Incisors
Canines

On top of that, molars specifically (not to be confused with premolars) are broken into three subcategories:

First molar
Second molar
Third molar (otherwise known as “wisdom tooth”

The reason we mention this is because both baby and adult molars “come in”, or erupt, in different stages as a child grows & develops, therefore the answer to the question “When do molars come in?” isn’t as simple as it may at first appear.

In other words, because each type of molar erupts at different times, the question “When do kids get their molars?” has multiple answers depending on age and stage.

A Note on Upper vs. Lower Molars

The lower jaw is referred to technically as the mandible. The upper jaw is referred to technically as the maxilla. Therefore, lower molars are technically referred to as mandibular molars, whereas upper molars are technically referred to as maxillary molars.

When Do Baby Molars Come In or Erupt?

Here’s what you need to know, according to the ADA’s Mouthhealthy website:

Upper or Maxillary Baby Molars on Either Side of the Mouth

First Molar: 13-19 months of age
Second Molar: 25-33 months of age

Lower or Mandibular Baby Molars on Either Side of the Mouth

First Molar: 14-18 months of age
Second Molar: 23-31 months of age

Do Kids Lose Molars?

Yes. Kids do lose molars. Primary molars, or baby molars, are shed at different times, making way for adult molars (and the tooth fairy!) It’s important to note, however, that while it’s normal to lose baby molars as part of typical oral development, it’s not normal for kids to lose their adult molars once they have come in. That situation would only occur due to something like trauma, injury, or severe dental decay leading to the loss of teeth.

When Do Adult Molars Come In, or Erupt?

From first molars to second molars (which many people refer to commonly as “back molars”) to wisdom teeth, learn when adult molars erupt.

Upper or Maxillary Adult Molars on Either Side of the Mouth

First Molar: 6-7 years of age
Second Molar: 12-13 years of age
Third Molar (Wisdom Tooth): 17-21 years of age

Lower or Mandibular Adult Molars on Either Side of the Mouth

First Molar: 6-7 years of age
Second Molar: 11-13 years of age
Third Molar (Wisdom Tooth): 17-21 years of age.

Note: not everyone develops third molars, or wisdom teeth. It’s also not unheard of for individuals to have fewer than four wisdom teeth.

Do Adults Lose Molars?

Sometimes. If left unchecked, tooth decay resulting from periodontal disease or bad oral health can lead to the loss of adult teeth.

Tooth loss isn’t the only thing to worry about, though. Poor oral health can also result in or contribute to:

Oral infections
Cardiovascular disease
Respiratory infections
Diabetes
Pregnancy complications
…And more!

Is Molar Eruption Painful?

The short answer is yes. Molar eruption/tooth development can be uncomfortable or even, to some individuals,painful. The development of baby teeth in particular is also commonly referred to as “teething” (sound familiar?) This notorious stage of oral development is often marked by:

Fussiness and crying
Changes in sleep patterns
Increased drooling
Chewing on objects
Red/swollen gums

The good news? This stage is temporary, and your Super Dentists team is here to help every step of the way!

Learn More: Contact The Super Dentists Today

The human mouth develops based on age and stage of life. So why don’t we treat oral health with an age and stage-based approach? Well, you can with SuperMouth!

Is your child having issues with their baby teeth or abnormal pain due to adult teeth coming in? Schedule an appointment for your child at The Super Dentists! We demystify dentistry for parents while providing a comfortable, fun, and interactive experience for kids.

FAQs About When Kids Get Molars

What age do the back molars come in?

Back molars (first permanent molars) usually come in around age 6–7, while second molars appear around 11–13 years.

When do 2-year-old molars come in?

“2-year molars” typically erupt between 23–33 months of age.

Do molars come in at age 6?

Yes! The first adult molars—often called 6-year molars—usually come in between ages 6 and 7.

Can a 5-year-old get “6-year molars”?

Yes, some kids may get their first molars slightly early, around age 5. Every child develops at their own pace!

Are molars coming in painful?

They can be uncomfortable, especially for younger children, but symptoms are temporary and manageable.

Do kids lose their back molars?

Kids lose baby molars—but permanent back molars are meant to last a lifetime with proper care.