I can really say that this is the best toothbrush I've ever tried in my entire life and I've tried everything from the dollar store variety to expensive battery operated ones. Nothing beats this in my opinion. The concept behind it is that it is meant to massage and stimulate your gums with the use of rubber bristles that are placed alongside your regular standard bristles. The product is just as described! If you have sensitive teeth and gums like I do, you'll be very grateful for how gentle this brush feels. The rubber bristles really do feel like your gums are being massaged and the brush itself flexes to fit the shape of your teeth and mouth, even in the hard to reach back areas that can get neglected at times. I was actually surprised it worked so well considering the brush head is wider than your standard regular toothbrush. I do believe, for this reason, it is able to reach plaque much better and therefore, in the long run, improve the health of teeth and gums. The medium bristles did not feel harsh at all. I usually buy toothbrushes with soft bristles to avoid bleeding gums, but this didn't give me any trouble at all. Toothpaste also washes away easily from the bottom of the brush head as there is a tiny space in between the bristles where water can pass through and clean any residue that was left over. Worth paying more for! This toothbrush is so amazing!!!