Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth

The present invention relates to devices, methods, and compositions for cleaning surfaces within a person's mouth. An apparatus designed to clean surfaces and to recycle a cleaning fluid. The apparatus has a hand-holdable housing that includes a head with a distal end through which cleaning solution may be impelled. The apparatus further has a pump for both impelling and urging cleaning fluid back through a return path. The pump has a flexible membrane and a pump drive mechanism in which two pistons drive the flexible membrane. The cleaning fluid includes a foaming-resistant composition that has an abrasive agent; a shear thinning fluid matrix, and a non-foaming means.