Do Redheads Avoid the Dentist?

on August 13, 2009 at 11:13 AM

Here's one I haven't heard before, and I come from a family full of redheads!

Redheads may be more scared of dental procedures and twice as likely to avoid going to the dentist as people with other hair colors.

So how are hair color and oral health related exactly?

Those of us with brown, black, and blond hair look the way we do because of a gene, called the MC1R gene, which produces melanin. In redheads, this gene has mutated; it produces pheomelanin, which results in red hair and fair skin.

Now researchers think that this gene mutation also influences the body's sensitivity to pain—specifically, it makes redheads more sensitive to pain. As a result, redheads need larger doses of anesthesia and are often resistant to local pain blockers like Novocaine.

Yikes! No wonder they avoid the dentist! I would, too!

Are you particularly sensitive to pain in the dentist's chair? Redheads, we want to hear from you!

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: general health, in the news, medicine, teeth

Comments (5)

JoyandLove

on Aug 13, 2009 at 8:58 PM

Very odd.

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busymommy2031

on Aug 14, 2009 at 4:32 AM

dont think it relates, but yes i'm a red-head and yes I get scared to death at the dentist

momoflilangel

on Aug 14, 2009 at 9:21 AM

I have red hair. I asked my husband and he said for me it's true that I am more sensitive to pain. LOL Sometimes I can handle things and other time like when I got my wisdom teeth & 4 other teeth taken out at the same time I was sick and hurting for 2 weeks! I suppose I am somewhat of a sissy. LOL

But with that said I still love going to the dentist b/c I know that no matter what they are helping me. I want to keep my teeth and not have to bother with bad teeth or false teeth.

I currently have braces and they hurt for a LOOOOOONG time when I first got them on but now they don't bother me.

shannon.kay

on Aug 15, 2009 at 1:21 AM

Well, I have a redhead sister and a blonde sister and the blonde is the one who's afraid of the dentist. The redhead paid for her own braces.

I have heard that redheads bleed more also.

jacobsmommy0828

on Aug 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM

Well as a redhead I have to say that I hate going to the dentist. I always need more pain killer than what they seem to first give me. Definetley true for me!