Do redheads really feel more pain?

**Jason** · 08-13-2009, 07:11 AM

A new study has found that redheads are more than twice as likely to avoid a visit to the dentist - possibly because they are more sensitive to pain. But does hair colour really mean more discomfort in the dentist chair?

Nicole Kidman, Hazel Blears and Prince Harry may all share ginger coloured locks, but could they also share a fear of the dentist? Some scientists say yes.

Perhaps no-one enjoys the prospect of the dentist's drill or a shot of novocaine, but new findings published in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggest that the problem may be a bit more serious for redheads.

The research, conducted by the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, comes a few years after other studies found that people with red hair are typically more sensitive to pain and more resistant to anaesthesia - and require about 20% more of it to be effective.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8195177.stm

Mcninjaguy · 08-13-2009, 08:49 AM

The only reason this should be researched should for the human genome project.

ebackhus · 08-14-2009, 12:43 AM

I hope my wife doesn't know about this. We're about 6 weeks from baby time so as a redhead it'd just freak her out more.

08-13-2009, 07:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,477 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	Do redheads really feel more pain? A new study has found that redheads are more than twice as likely to avoid a visit to the dentist - possibly because they are more sensitive to pain. But does hair colour really mean more discomfort in the dentist chair? Nicole Kidman, Hazel Blears and Prince Harry may all share ginger coloured locks, but could they also share a fear of the dentist? Some scientists say yes. Perhaps no-one enjoys the prospect of the dentist's drill or a shot of novocaine, but new findings published in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggest that the problem may be a bit more serious for redheads. The research, conducted by the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, comes a few years after other studies found that people with red hair are typically more sensitive to pain and more resistant to anaesthesia - and require about 20% more of it to be effective. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8195177.stm __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

08-13-2009, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Do redheads really feel more pain? The only reason this should be researched should for the human genome project.

08-14-2009, 12:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Do redheads really feel more pain? I hope my wife doesn't know about this. We're about 6 weeks from baby time so as a redhead it'd just freak her out more. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.