The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having
a head attached to one end. The head has a bristle-bearing face having longitudinal
perimeter portions adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric, elastomeric
massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each
of the longitudinal perimeter portions. The brush can comprise further massaging
elements which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though
the use of such additional elements is preferably minimised. The perimetric massaging
elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120 or less, preferably
being circular. The cross-sectional area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements
to bristles on the brush head is less than 25%. Alternately there are four or fewer
elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric massaging elements. A brush
with both bristles and gum massaging elements arranged as set out above provides
both cleaning and gum massaging benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic
impression derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the part of the brush
head traditionally comprising only bristles.
