New study shows they need more Novocaine when they go to the dentist.
Dr. Daniel Sessler talks with WTAM's Darren Toms
(Cleveland) - It’s a rumor that’s persisted for years…dentists saying that redheads are the most difficult patients. But this rumor turned out to be true!
A study by Dr. Daniel Sessler at Cleveland Clinic looked at 144 people...67 redheads and 77 people with darker hair.
The survey showed that redheads are resistant to local anesthesia and because of that, they presumably have bad experiences with dental anesthesia and likely avoid necessary dental visits.
“Redheads are more sensitive to pain than people with other hair colors and will thus experience more discomfort during painful procedures,” said Dr. Sessler, who led the study. “This can lead to dental care-related anxiety and dental care avoidance.”
Dr. Sessler says redheads are more sensitive to pain so they need about 20% more local anesthesia than a darker haired person.
Why? Redhead have a variation in their genes that account for the red hair and less pigment in their skin. Research has found that this mutation also stimulates a brain receptor that makes them feel pain more than brunettes.
The results were published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.
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