Abstract: A bristle configuration providing enhanced cleaning of teeth. The bristle pattern includes large tufts having a greater cross-sectional area than standard toothbrush bristle tufts. The large tufts are contoured so that the top ends of the bristles comprising the large tufts are not all at the same height. More than one raised section is provided, the raised sections being spatially isolated from one another to function independently of one another. Preferably, at least one of the raised sections has a sufficient brushing surface area with bristles extending a sufficient height above surrounding bristles such that that raised section can reach into and clean interdental tooth surfaces, preferably while the remaining bristles in the large tuft clean other tooth surfaces. Another aspect of the invention relates to a zig-zag or sawtooth bristle profile, wherein each tuft making up the profile has its own unique substantially conical or frustoconical profile.

Abstract: The invention is directed to toothbrushes that include a handle, a neck a head, and a polishing member attached to the head, where the polishing member includes a base proximate the backside of the head and a plurality of projections of sufficient size and shape and disposed in a pattern on the base that are effective to provide polishing of teeth.