A diver has filmed the bizarre experience he had when a shrimp cleaned his teeth underwater.

Drew Kaplan opened his mouth wide and let the Pacific Cleaner Shrimp drift in to inspect his pearly whites in Maui, Hawaii.

The fascinating crustaceans spend their lives swimming inside the mouths of fish to remove the parasites that lurk there.

Kaplan learned to mimic the fish around him, opening his mouth wide and patiently waiting for the shrimp to attend to him.

He has had the treatment several times since perfecting the technique – sometimes holding his breath for around 40 seconds to get a deep clean.

But the service isn’t without its dangers.

Drew Kaplan opened his mouth wide and let the Pacific Cleaner Shrimp drift in to inspect his pearly whites in Maui, Hawaii

Deep clean: Kaplan made a compilation video of the times he’s captured the bizarre phenomenon on film

Kaplan warned viewers of his video that eels often lurk near to groups of cleaner shrimp.

The diver, who has filmed scuba and snorkelling trips in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean, said that the deep-sea dental treatment must work because his teeth are in good condition.

In the caption to his YouTube video, Kaplan said: ‘Since I have no cavities, I guess it works.

He has had the treatment several times since perfecting the technique – sometimes holding his breath for around 40 seconds to get a deep clean

The diver, who has filmed scuba and snorkelling trips in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean, said that the deep-sea dental treatment must work because his teeth are in good condition

‘Oh, and it feels just a bit scratchy, not bad. And it’s lots of fun. ‘

He added: ‘But beware of eels.

‘They are often living with the cleaner shrimp.’

Since Kaplan uploaded the video in 2013 it has been viewed almost 25,000 times.

WHAT IS THE PACIFIC CLEANER SHRIMP?

The Latin name for the red-and-white striped shrimp is Lysmata amboinensis.

They also sometimes go by the name of Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimps.

Most individuals grow to between five and six centimetres long. 

The fascinating crustaceans spend their lives swimming inside the mouths of fish to remove the parasites that lurk there

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums says: ‘The Pacific Cleaner Shrimp is omnivorous and will generally scavenge and eat parasites and dead tissue by cleaning larger fishes and so on.

‘It waits for its clientele at so-called cleaning stations where it is often accompanied by other fish and shrimp species offering similar services.

‘Some species will even clean the inner surface of the mouth and gill cavity without being eaten.’

https://youtu.be/7skg2VDT5TM