Table 5 Clinical variables (mean ± standard deviation) of plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding index (BI) at baseline (T0), 6 weeks after baseline (T1), and 12 weeks after baseline (T2)

PLI

Test

1.63 ± 0.71

0.78 ± 0.68

0.82 ± 0.66

p =0.675

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Control

1.57 ± 0.71

0.79 ± 0.62

0.82 ± 0.66

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Between-group p value

p =0.232

p =0.761

p =0.964

GI

Test

2.56 ± 0.50

1.86 ± 0.53

1.68 ± 0.55

p =0.219

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Control

2.58 ± 0.49

1.88 ± 0.49

1.76 ± 0.54

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Between-group p value

p =0.559

p =0.568

p =0.539

BI

Test

3.41± 0.73

2.12 ± 0.82

1.85 ± 0.76

p =0.219

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Control

3.43± 0.74

2.10 ± 0.74

1.99 ± 0.80

p <0.001*

p <0.001*

Between-group p value

p =0.733

p =0.723

p =0.014*