Gingivitis caused by plaque alone is an infection of the gums (gingiva). Its cause is soft bacterial plaque. The main symptom of gingivitis is bleeding. Inflamed gingiva can bleed even if plaque is removed with a soft brush or even for no apparent reason. Healthy gingiva is characterised by specific stippling, similar to the surface of an orange.

Healthy gingiva is pale pink. If inflamed, the colour becomes a deeper red. Except in severe parodontal diseases, patients hardly ever complain of pain. 

The clinical symptoms of gingivitis caused by plaque accumulation are reddening, swelling and loss of stippling. The inflammation recedes once the plaque and pigmentation are removed and prophylactic consultation on the brushing technique has occurred.

Apart from gingivitis caused solely by the presence of plaque, there are gingivitides arising from systemic factors (factors concerning the entire organism). A typical example is a gum infection during pregnancy. Hormonal change phases (puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy) influence the immune system and lead to modification of inflammatory processes in the gingiva.


Neben der Gingivitis, die allein durch die Anwesenheit von Plaque verursacht wird, gibt es Gingivitiden, die durch systemische (also den ganzen Organismus betreffende) Faktoren  entstehen. Typisches Beispiel ist die Zahnfleischentzündung während der Schwangerschaft. Hormonelle Umbruchphasen (Pubertät, Menstruation, Schwangerschaft) beeinflussen das Immunsystem und führen zur Abwandlung entzündlicher Vorgänge an der Gingiva.