A toothbrush is provided. The toothbrush has a handle with a longitudinal axis. A bristle-bearing head having an outer perimeter, a proximal end, and a distal end is attached to the handle at its proximal end. A plurality of longitudinal grooves are disposed in the head. The longitudinal grooves are aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and terminate at the outer perimeter of the distal end of the head.