A woman wearing glasses sits indoors, touching her cheek with her hand, appearing to experience discomfort or pain, with a plant and brick wall in the background.

What Are Some Signs That It’s Time for a Root Canal?

Having tooth pain might have you wondering if you’ll need to get a root canal. That depends on how deep the infection is and other factors. At State Street Smiles, our dentists in Hackensack, NJ, may recommend a root canal if you have any of the following signs of a tooth infection near or at the root.

Ongoing or Worsening Tooth Pain

How severe is your toothache? How long have you had it? You might have an infected tooth root if the pain has been getting worse or if it’s not going away at all.

Dark, Discolored Tooth Appearance

When the root of your tooth is infected, it may develop a darkish coloring. Seeing this means it’s time to visit our dentists to have your tooth checked!

Jaw Swelling

Does your jaw look swollen on the affected side? A tooth infection may cause swelling to occur in your jaw tissue.

Greater Sensitivity to Heat and Cold

Does your tooth hurt when you eat or drink anything hot or cold? This is another sign that patients may need root canals in Hackensack, NJ, for a tooth infection.

Painful Tooth Pressure

Does the affected tooth hurt more when you bite down or chew? This increased soreness with pressure may indicate that you have an infected tooth root.

Gum Swelling

Do your gums appear swollen around the infected tooth? This may mean that the infection has reached the root.

Schedule an Appointment Today for a Root Canal

Do you have a painful tooth or other symptoms of an infection? Our dental team at State Street Smiles offers root canals in Hackensack, NJ, to treat infected teeth and reduce the risk of tooth extractions.