Eleanor. I would not be able to brush my teeth at all without my electric toothbrush. I've been using one for several years. a round rotating style, and as my symptoms get worse I have still been able to brush my teeth! in general I have found the small electronic devises to be a god-send in the battle to keep some level of independence. Including, but not limited to a battery powered pepper mill. I know this one may sound trivial, but when you are used to freshly ground pepper and can no longer operate hand grinders, it's just one more nice-ity that you are not forced to give up. I would definitely recommend trying one for your mother. Good Luck. Cathy Eleanor Noone wrote: > Mother has trouble brushing her teeth and when I try to do it for her > sometimes she closes her mouth. Would an electric toothbrush help? I've > seen one advertised that is round and rotates. Would that be better than one > with a regular style brush? > Eleanor