VOA慢速英语:Wising Up About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are normally the last teeth to appear. This usually happens when people are in their late teen years or early twenties -- in other words, when they are older and wiser.
智齿通常是最后长出的牙齿。通常是在人们大约在二十岁左右出现,换句话说,通常是当人们更为年长和聪明的时候。

Wisdom teeth are molars, or chewing teeth, at the back of the mouth. The third set of molars, if you have them, are your wisdom teeth.
智齿是长在口腔后部的臼齿或者嚼牙。如果你有第三颗磨牙，那就是你的智齿。

They can grow into place normally and never cause a problem. But often there is not enough room for them in the mouth. They might crowd other teeth. Sometimes they even push sideways through the gums.
如果他们长在比较正常的位置，通常不会造成什么问题。但是经常会出现口腔里没有足够的空间能够容纳臼齿。它们可能会挤压其他牙齿，有时甚至会冲破牙龈。

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that fails to completely rise through the gums -- the term is erupt. Wisdom teeth that only partially erupt can leave space for bacteria to enter around the tooth. Infection is a risk in these cases.
阻生智齿是指未能完全从牙龈中长出的智齿。只有部分智齿的支持会给细菌留下入侵牙齿周围的空间，在这种情况下容易引发感染。

Wisdom teeth that are not well aligned and become impacted are often removed.
那些位置不均衡，有可能造成阻生的通常会被拔除。

People should have the placement of their wisdom teeth examined between the ages of sixteen and twenty. X-rays can show wisdom teeth that are below the gums.
16岁到20岁的人群应该检查智齿的位置，确定支持可能萌发的位置。X射线能够照出出智齿在牙龈下的位置。

The American Dental Association says removal is generally advised when wisdom teeth only partly break through the gums. Removal is also advised if there is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage other teeth. And removal is called for in cases where fluid collects around a wisdom tooth that is partly or fully below the gum.
美国牙科协会表示，通常，在智齿不完全萌生的情况下会建议拔除。如果位置不均衡的智齿有可能损害其他牙齿，也建议将其拔除。当部分露出牙龈或完全未露出牙龈的智齿导致积液时，这种情况也要求拔掉。

But why do we have wisdom teeth if we often need to get them removed? One theory has to do with our diets. Scientists say the diet of prehistoric humans probably required more chewing teeth. Life was probably a little rougher on the teeth back then, too. So it was good to have extras.
但是，既然通常情况下都要将智齿拔掉，那么为什么还会长智齿呢？其中一个理论表示跟我们的饮食有关。科学家表示，史前人类的饮食可能需要更多咀嚼齿。当时吃得也可能有点粗糙，所以有额外的牙齿更为有利。

The removal of wisdom teeth is performed by oral surgeons. They say if removal is advised, the best time to do it is before the teeth cause any problems or pain.
拔除智齿一般由口腔医生操作。他们称，如果需要拔除智齿，最好是在智齿造成任何问题或疼痛之前。

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons says young adults are the best candidates for wisdom teeth removal. The group says older patients may be at greater risk for disease in the tissue surrounding the molars.
美国口腔颌面外科医生协会称，年轻人是拔出智齿的最佳人选。该组织称，年长的病人磨牙周围的组织患病的风险更大一些。

Patients can have general anesthesia during the operation. Or they might choose to have a local painkiller and remain awake. It may depend on the condition of the wisdom teeth and the number to be removed.
在手术过程中病人可以采取全身麻醉。或者他们可以选择局部止痛药，并可以保持清醒。这取决于智齿的状况和需要拔除的数量。

After surgery, there can be swelling of the gums and face and some pain. Both can be treated with cold wraps and medication.
手术之后，牙龈和脸部可能会有些浮肿，以及有点疼痛，这都可以用冰袋或者药物治疗。