Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle portion and a working, head portion from which a plurality of bristles extend, the bristles being arranged in tufts. The head portion is provided with at least one through-hole extending from the rear to the front surface thereof and terminating among the tufts. The edge of the through-hole is profiled to provide a restriction between the rear and front surfaces, whereby the cleansing effect of running water entering the through-hole towards the tufts, to wash debris out of the bristles from the base thereof, is enhanced by a venturi effect. The tufts adjacent the through-hole or holes may be angled inwardly to enhance the cleaning effect and to provide a more evenly-spaced array of bristle tips.