智慧之牙-智齿

    This is the VOA Special English Health Report.
    这里是美国之音慢速英语健康报道。

    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,这通常是在青少年晚期或二十岁出头时长出。换句话说,一般是在他们长大心智成熟时。

    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.
    智齿是臼齿,或称咀嚼齿,位于口腔最里面。如果你长了第三大臼齿,它们就是智齿。

    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.
    智齿可能会正常长出,并且不会产生任何问题。但通常口腔没有足够空间让智齿生长,它们可能会挤压其它牙齿,有时甚至会挤压牙龈侧面。

    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,术语称之为冒出。只部分冒出的智齿会在牙齿周围留下细菌进入的空间,这种情况下就有感染的风险。

    Wisdom teeth that are not well aligned and become impacted are often removed.
    排列不齐和阻生的智齿通常要拔掉。

    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.
    人们应该在16到20岁期间检查确认智齿的位置。X光线可以显示出牙龈里的智齿。

    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,当智齿只从牙龈中冒出一部分时,通常的建议是拔掉。如果排列不齐的智齿有可能损害其它牙齿时,一般也会建议拔掉。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.
    但为什么我们通常都要拔除还会长出智齿? 有种理论认为这与我们的饮食有关。科学家们表示,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,所以有额外的牙齿当然
    更好。

    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.
    拔除智齿的一般都是口腔外科医生。他们表示,如果需要拔除智齿,最好的时机是在智齿产生任何问题或疼痛以前。

    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表示,拔掉智齿的最佳时期是青壮年。该协会表示,老年患者臼齿周围组织病变的风险非常大。

    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,病人可以选择全身麻醉。或者选择局部镇痛剂保持清醒。这可能取决于智齿的状况和要拔掉的牙数。

    After surgery, there can be swelling of the gums and face and some pain. Both can be treated with cold wraps and medication.
    手术后,牙龈和脸部会肿胀,并有一些疼痛。这两种情况都可以通过冷敷和药物来治疗。

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