Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Dentistry and Redheads

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Pain of Being a Redhead

Nobody likes going to the dentist, but redheads may have a good reason. Growing body of research shows that people with red hair need larger doses of anesthesia and are sometimes resistant to local anesthesia, such as Novacaine. As a result, redheads tend to be more apprehensive about having dental work, and are twice as likely to avoid going to the dentist at all.

Researchers believe redheads are more sensitive because of a mutation in a gene that affects hair color. In people with dark brown, black or blond hair, the gene for the Melanocortin-1 receptor produces Melanin. A mutation in the MC1R gene produces a substance called Pheomelanin that results in red hair and fair skin. The MC1R gene belongs to a family of receptors in the brain and as a result, influences the body’s sensitivity to pain. A study done a few years ago showed that redheads require, on average, 20% more general anesthesia than people with dark or blond hair. Another study found that redheads are also more resistant to the effects of local anesthesia, such as local anesthesia used by dentists.

The mutation can occur in some brunettes, although much less common than in redheads. In a recent study researchers tested the MC1R gene variant finding it in 65 out of 67 redheads and 20 out of 77 brunettes. The participants were surveyed about dental care anxiety, fear of dental pain and whether they completely avoid going at all. People with the MC1R gene variant had more dental related anxiety and fear of dental pain, and are twice as likely to avoid dental care at all.

Dr. Daniel Sessler, an anesthesiologist from the Cleveland Clinic, said he began studying hair color after hearing many colleagues speculate about redheads needing more anesthesia. The original study was started because of an urban legend in the anesthesia community saying that redheads were difficult to anesthetize. “It was so intriguing that they continued the study”. Redheads truly do require more anesthesia, and by a clinically significant amount.

If you have any questions regarding your dental health please give our office a call at 561-394-9000. We will arrange an appointment to get you on your way to maintaining a healthy dentition and oral cavity.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.