Importance

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Abstract

A toothbrush (200, 1000) includes a handle (205, 1005), a head (201, 1001) and an arrangement of bristles (207, 1007) projecting outwardly from a bristle-bearing surface (209, 1009) of the head. Each bristle includes a projecting portion and terminates in a tip end. The bristles include a middle group (217, 1017) and two end groups (218, 219; 1018, 1019). The middle group is disposed between the two end groups and separates the two end groups. The tip ends of the middle group of bristles lie substantially in a common plane to define a brushing surface (301) overlying a substantial portion of the bristle-bearing surface of the head. The lengths of the projecting portions of the bristles in the end groups decrease substantially as a distance increases between the middle group and respective ones of the bristles in the end groups. In a preferred embodiment, at least some bristles in each end group are sufficiently short and rigid to reduce the tendency of the bristles in the middle group to flatten upon contact with the teeth, thereby improving cleaning efficacy of the toothbrush. A curved or angled neck (203, 1003) may also be included to improve maneuverability of the toothbrush in the mouth.

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First Claim