In a tooth cleaning system having a flexible protective shield, and a nozzle having an end portion extending into the shield. The shield is connected to a source of vacuum and has an inner wall having an inner wall perimeter. The nozzle is connected to a fluid source. The fluid from the fluid source travels directly from the nozzle to less than half of the area enclosed by the perimeter. The improvement includes pivotally supporting the nozzle whereby the nozzle is readily repositioned to positions angularly offset from the central axis of the shield directing fluid from the nozzle to the entire tooth surface and enclosed by the perimeter. The perimeter forms a fluid tight seal with the tooth outer surface. The invention provides a method of cleaning teeth including providing a flexible plastic shield having a nozzle channel therethrough and a rigid nozzle extending through said nozzle channel. The flexible protective shield is positioned against a tooth surface and the pressure within the chamber formed by the flexible protective shield and the tooth surface is reduced to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. Cleaning the entire tooth surface area by bending the nozzle channel and maintaining a fluid tight seal at the perimeter of the protective shield.