According to some recent, and well publicised research, redheads may have genes which can cause increased pain sensitivity. As well as finding the common anaesthetics used by dentists less effective.
Do you avoid going to the dentist due to pain sensitivity?
If these factors are true then this would explain why redheads are apparently more than twice as likely to avoid going to the dentist, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The genetic variation which leads to the range of beautiful red hair tones seems also to influence pain sensitivity.
The gene variant was in 65 of 67 redheads. But also in 20 of 77 people with brown or black hair, who had similar anxiety about dental visits.
Whatever your hair colour. If you have concerns about pain sensitivity, Dr John will be happy to talk with you about it and adjust your pain management regime accordingly.
Further reading below:
Redheads more likely to skip dentist, fearing pain: study
Do redheads really feel more pain? The jury’s still out
