A method for cleaning tooth surfaces with a powder and a powder mixture, preferably by powder blasting with a powder-jet device, said device mixing the powder or the powder mixture with air to form a powder/air mixture, wherein said powder and/or powder mixture is an alditol or contains such alditol. Preferably, mannitol and/or erythritol are used, because of their anti-cariogenic effect. Xylitol is also suitable for cleaning tooth surfaces, especially of less strongly mineralized tooth surfaces like dentine.