Toothbrush with gravity switch

A toothbrush provided with a headpiece carrying a brush and with a handle accommodating an electric motor with a battery and switching elements, the brush being formed cylindrically and performing a rotational movement about a rotational axis via a driving shaft extending between said brush and said electric motor for the purpose of dental care, wherein the cylindrical brush is provided with a protecting cap which is stationary with respect to said handle and, at a distance from the rotational axis of the brush, has an opening forming a free working region, the electric motor and thus the direction of rotation of the brush being reversible, a gravity switch, and first and second electrical circuit means connecting said motor to said switch, said gravity switch being arranged to close said first electrical circuit means and open said second electrical circuit means to drive said motor in one direction when said handle is in one position and to open said first electrical circuit means and close said second electrical circuit means to drive said motor in the opposite direction when said handle is turned about said axis from said one position to a further position such that the surface of said brush is automatically caused to move in a direction from the gums to the crown of each tooth by controlling the position of said handle.