Redheads 'twice as likely to avoid the dentist'

Redheads are twice as likely to avoid the dentist due to low pain tolerance, according to a new study, published by Journal of American Dental Association.

Nearly 150 adults were surveyed to examine their attitudes towards dental care and potential pain. 67 of the participants had red hair. The findings that the redheads were twice as likely to avoid the dentists as people with other hair colours is linked to the gene that gives us our hair, eye and skin colour.

This gene (called MC1R) has also been found to play a part in the brain in areas linked to the body's sensitivity to pain.

"Redheads are more sensitive to pain than people with other hair colours and will thus experience more discomfort during painful procedures," said Cleveland Clinic anaesthesiologist Dr Daniel Sessler, who led the study. "This can lead to dental care-related anxiety and dental care avoidance."

The next phase of the study will look at whether different doses of anaesthesia should be used for people with different hair colours.

More about red hair

Less than two per cent of the human population have red hair, making it the rarest hair colour. The highest concentrations of redheads are found in north and west Europe.

Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads in the world, at 13 per cent of the population. Some 40 per cent of Scots carry the gene responsible for red hair!

Red hair is also linked genetically to fair skin - this may be advantageous in northern countries with less sunlight as fair skin will absorb more light, which is vital for the production of vitamin D. However it does also mean that the person is at higher risk of skin cancer.

Red hair is a recessive genetic trait - this means that a redhead will have received the gene from both parents. It also means that dark or blonde haired people may carry the gene, which is why parents who both have dark hair can still give birth to red headed children.

Red hair can also be caused by other conditions, such as malnutrition and albinism.

This article was published on Wed 12 August 2009