The present invention is directed to a toothbrush (100) that incorporates tapered bristle filaments (141) in combination with tuft holes (142) of a reduced size, such as between 1.3 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter. In another aspect, the invention provides a toothbrush (100) that balances the number of tuft holes (142) and the number (X) of tapered bristle filaments (141) within each tuft hole (142) to achieve a unique ratio that reduces the cost of manufacture of the toothbrush (100) while maintaining a mouth-feel that consumers associate with a quality product. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a toothbrush (100) that incorporates tapered bristle filaments (141) and also achieves a balance between the perimeter of reduced size tuft holes (142) and the spacing between adjacent tuft holes (142) to achieve a unique ratio that reduces the cost of manufacture of the toothbrush (100) while maintaining a mouth-feel that consumers associate with a quality product.