Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support

摘要

A toothbrush is disclosed having a brush head that includes a flexible member formed for resilient flexure between a first shape and a second shape. The flexible member has first and second sides and a central bristle support portion disposed between first and second outer bristle support portions. The flexible member also has an elastic portion interconnecting the central bristle support portion to the first and second bristle support portions along lateral edges thereof. The toothbrush further includes a pair of handle extensions for supporting the flexible member at the first and second sides thereof such that the flexible member is free to flex between first and second shapes when stressed. An array of first bristle tufts is attached to the central bristle support portion. First and second arrays of second bristle tufts are attached to the first and second outer bristle support portions, respectively, and are aligned in parallel relation to the array of first bristle tufts. The first and second arrays of second bristle tufts are dimensioned and positioned relative to the array of first bristle tufts such that when the first bristle tufts are pressed against the biting surface of a tooth, the flexible member is caused to change its size and shape whereby the first and second arrays of second bristle tufts incline toward the array of first bristle tufts.