I've had my braces on for 9 months now, but just recently, I've started developing some localized areas of inflammation on the insides of my cheeks - right where my upper archwire contacts the cheeks (on both sides of my mouth). They are VERY sore, to the point where I cannot sleep on my side at night because the pain is just too intense. This is a completely new problem for me, and it occurred to me that maybe I'm sensitive to something in the archwire. When he put my last archwire on (about a month ago), I remember him asking the assistant to get him a "Ni-Ti" wire. So I'm fairly certain there's nickel in this wire, but I'm just not sure if what I'm experiencing is a nickel allergy. I mean, surely I've had archwires before this that have contained nickel? So why am I just now having a reaction, after 9 months?
I should mention that I do get itchy when I wear gold jewelry, so it's possible I do have a nickel sensitivity. But I've never had this medically confirmed or anything - I just don't wear gold.
I'm just wondering what you all think of this, and if it's something worth bugging my ortho about. Maybe some of you have had a similar thing and can tell me what it is, and whether it will go away on its own. Thanks in advance for your time!
