Everyone has experienced dry mouth at some point in their lives. Dry mouth is more than a common problem for some people.

What exactly is dry lips? It is when your mouth feels dry. Dry mouth is when your saliva contains less oxygen, which can lead to dryness. This creates an environment that is anaerobic (oxygen-free), which can be conducive to bad breath.

Is it possible that bad breath or dry mouth could be a sign of another health condition? It could be. There have been cases of severe dry mouth linked to hypertension, diabetes and Sj?gren’s syndrome. Even if dry mouth isn’t caused by any other serious condition, it could lead to even more health problems.

“No one likes having bad breath, but dry mouth can also increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay and mouth infections. In fact, it can even damage your throat,”Dr. Harold Katz is a Beverly Hills dentist, bacteriologist, and the creator of TheraBreath premium oral care products. “Medications, smoking, health conditions and dehydration can cause it.”

Dry mouth is a side effect of more than 75 percentof prescribed medications. Additionally, alcohol-based mouthwashes can only make the problem worse. Here are some ways to fix dry mouth.

* Stop using products with sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfurate can dry your mouth and cause bad breath. It also causes bitter and sour taste.

* Avoid drinking citrus juices. Drinking acidic beverages like tomato juice, grapefruit juice and orange juice can cause dryness.

* Drink more water. Water is essential for keeping your mouth moist. This is especially true if you are drinking orange juice or coffee. High levels of oxygen in saliva balance acids and prevent sulfur-producing bacteria.

* Use mouth-wetting lozenges. TheraBreath’s mouth -wetting lozenges have three stages that stimulate saliva and promote freshness. They’re also sugar-free. Learn more at www.therabreath.com/gummints-strips/therabreath-mouthwetting-lozenges.

Talk to your doctor if your dry mouth persists. Check to see if any medication is known to cause dry mouth. Then, you can research the best oral care products for your condition or look into a humidifier. For more information, visit www.therabreath.com/drymouth.html.