Nyssa
welcome to the boards and have a fabulous vlcd journey.
I don't use strips and only occassionally use mouthwash. Google this site for some recommendations on mouthwash as there's bound to be some threads.
I brush my teeth after 'lunch' if I'm at home, and also if I have a momentary food thought, I may also brush them - so I have that minty mouth taste. However that doesn't encourage water drinking so it depends...
I can say that it's worse at the start - and drinking your water regularly and frequently helps. Now my mouth isn't great first thing - but the rest of the day it isn't a problem.
Ali