The control mechanism (18) for a pressurized-gas oral cleaning appliance (10) includes a hollow valve member (44) for receiving gas from a pressurized source thereof (14) and for delivering gas to a gas exit assembly. A gas releasing assembly includes a user-activated actuation member (26) and a pusher member (36), wherein movement of the actuation member moves the pusher member and the valve member in a forward direction to a first position where gas enters the hollow interior of the valve. Further forward movement of the actuation member results in the valve member aligning with the pusher member in such a relationship that the valve member moves rearwardly by action of a spring (67) to a second position where the gas in the valve member exits through the openings and the groove to a gas exit line (68).