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I tried tongue scraping for 30 days—heres what it did for my gut and oral health

I tried tongue scraping for 30 days—heres what it did for my gut and oral health


For years, my morning routine was a caffeinated blur: a quick brush, a splash of cold water and a dash to my ltop. But lately, my social media feed has been taken over by a U-shed copper tool and a ritual known in Ayurveda as ‘jihwa prakshalana’ or tongue scring. I’ve always brushed my tongue with the back of my toothbrush (yes, you could argue that I’m lazy), so when all these videos claiming that this practice was the secret to resetting my digestive fire and achieving a level of oral freshness that mints simply couldn’t touch, I was sceptical. To find out, I committed to 30 days of tongue scring. I spoke with dental surgeons and Ayurvedic experts to separate the detox myths from the biological facts.

What is tongue scring?

In Ayurveda, tongue scring is a cornerstone of ‘dinacharya’ or daily routine. According to Dr Varalakshmi Yanamandra, an Ayurvedic doctor and gut expert, “The tongue provides a daily status report of our vitality. A thick, white coating is often interpreted as ama: sticky metabolic waste or undigested residue that bogs down the system.”

By clearing this coating each morning, you aren’t just cleaning your mouth; you are protecting your ‘agni’ or digestive fire. “Removing buildup exposes taste buds so you recognise tastes (rasa) more cleanly,” Dr Yanamandra explains, noting that this stimulates salivation and early digestive reflexes. Saliva contains enzymes like amylase that kickstart carbohydrate digestion, meaning the ritual actually prepares your gut for its first meal.

“While brushing and interdental cleaning remain primary for plaque control, cavity prevention and periodontal (gum) health, tongue scring has shown superior effectiveness specifically in reducing volatile sulphur compounds associated with bad breath,” says Dr Shreya Patil, BDS, MDS.

Who is it for?

This practice is for anyone looking to upgrade their oral hygiene beyond basic brushing, particularly those struggling with persistent bad breath or a ‘coated’ feeling in the mouth. Clinically, it is a low-risk adjunct for individuals who want to reduce the bacterial load on the tongue dorsum, which is a primary source of oral malodour. It is also highly effective for those who feel their sense of taste is dull or muffled, as removing the daily buildup allows for clearer taste perception. While it has roots in ancient tradition, it is essentially a tool for any modern person seeking a fresher, more neutral palate before starting their day.

What changes did I see in 7 days?

The results were surprisingly fast, with several noticeable shifts occurring within the first week:

  • Heightened taste perception: Removing the “biofilm” of food particles and dead cells made flavours, particularly sweet and salty notes, feel significantly more intense.
  • Neutralised morning breath: I noticed a major reduction in random bouts of bad breath and even the funky morning breath smell.
  • Reduced “heaviness”: The thick, sticky white coating dispeared, which physically (and psychologically) made my mouth feel lighter and cleaner.
  • Clearer petite cues: Because my taste signals were more accurate, I found they better guided my food choices and portion sizes.

Is there science behind it?

Modern dentistry confirms that tongue scring is more effective than using a toothbrush to manage oral malodour. Dr Patil notes, “The tongue harbours anaerobic bacteria that produce foul-smelling gases and scring is a superior method for reducing this coating.”

Dr Damini, an aesthetic dentist and the founder of Infinity Dental, Lucknow adds, “A screr removes about 30% more sulphur compounds than a brush because it actually lifts the debris rather than just moving it around or pushing it deeper into the tongue’s tiny bumps, called pillae.”

However, it is important to remember that scring does not clinically ‘detoxify’ the entire body, nor does it replace the need for flossing and professional dental care.

Which screr should I use?

Choosing the right material is essential for both effectiveness and safety:

  • Copper (tamra): Traditionally favoured for being naturally antimicrobial, it uses metal ions to disrupt microbial membranes, keeping the tool cleaner between uses.
  • Stainless steel: An excellent modern choice that is durable, easy to sanitise and hypoallergenic.
  • Silver (rajata): A smooth, antimicrobial option, although it is softer and may bend more easily.
  • Plastic: Generally discouraged as it can scre unevenly and may harbour bacteria or odours over time.

The 30-day verdict

After 30 days, the most obvious change was the pearance of my tongue: it stayed a healthy pink rather than developing an unsightly yellowish film. While it isn’t a miracle cure for gut health, the ritual offers a legitimate boost to oral hygiene and sensory awareness. For just a minute of effort each morning, tongue scring provides a cleaner, more refreshed start to the day that a toothbrush alone simply cannot replicate.

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Fashion

Zendaya channels Edie Sedgwick in an all-grey mini dress at the Louis Vuitton Resort 2027 show

Zendaya channels Edie Sedgwick in an all-grey mini dress at the Louis Vuitton Resort 2027 show


Zendaya arrived at Louis Vuitton’s Resort 2027 show at New York’s Frick Collection in a custom silver satin mini dress by Nicolas Ghesquière, styled by Law Roach. A wide fold of satin crossed the neckline, exposing one shoulder before falling diagonally across the body. The long bell sleeves balanced the short hemline, while the silver tone continued through her pointed pumps.

Roach confirmed the Edie Sedgwick reference on Instagram, ctioning his video, “The essence of Edie…” The styling stayed close to that 1960s cue: Tiffany & Co. earrings, a cropped side-swept hairstyle with one eye partly covered by the fringe, winged liner, bronzed skin and a nude glossed lip.

Later that night, Zendaya changed into Look 14 from the Resort 2027 runway for the after-party: a cropped black biker jacket with ribbed detailing, worn over canary yellow satin boxer shorts and styled with the same metallic pumps. On the runway, Look 14 was shown with a grey bucket hat, monogrammed hobo bag and silver boxer boots. Zendaya’s version removed the runway accessories, leaving the contrast between the cropped biker jacket and yellow satin shorts to carry the look.

TheStewartofNY/WireImage/GettyImages

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Fashion

At 85, this feisty Supreme Court advocate still wont back down from a fight

At 85, this feisty Supreme Court advocate still wont back down from a fight


By contrast, Jaising moved through life with a certain defiance of convention and a carefree attitude. She postponed marriage until 36 (initially rejecting it) and chose to remain childless in the 1970s. “My life as a woman is my life in law,” she says. The sentiment runs through her new memoir, The Constitution is My Home, written in conversation with feminist publisher Ritu Menon, and now on stands.

From the start of her career, Jaising’s fight for women to be seen in workplaces and respected in courtrooms went hand in hand. In her 30s, she took on the case of Air India air hostesses who had been denied promotions to supervisory positions. “They were being treated like ornamental figures; their managerial abilities were completely ignored. The injustice was plain. It offended my sense of fairness and moved me to bring a series of constitutional challenges grounded in the right to equality,” she writes in the book.

That fervent ownership plies to every brief she takes on. Whether advocating for women vendors defending their right to sell vegetables or helping educationist Mary Roy (Arundhati Roy’s mother) demand her inheritance, Jaising repeatedly used the law to challenge the ways in which women were denied full personhood.

Writer Githa Hariharan, whose first novel, The Thousand Faces of Night, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the best first novel in 1993, recounts how Jaising stepped in when Hariharan was not considered the “natural guardian” of her own minor son under Indian law. “I went to Indira, and her organisation, the Lawyers Collective, took up the case pro bono in the Supreme Court. We won a landmark judgement in 1999,” says Hariharan. “I helped a little with the research, and it was quite a learning experience for me. We have been good friends since then, and I feel lucky to know such a powerful role model for women, for lawyers, and, indeed, for good citizens.”

And Jaising has been a great role model for renegade women. In the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, a judge once banged a file on the table and declared, “Thank you, Ms. Jaising. We’ve had the pleasure of hearing you.” Jaising reenacts the scene for me in her living room, demonstrating exactly how she fought back against a bench steeped in class privilege and sexism. It was a casual but pointed dismissal of a woman representing the homeless against three legal heavyweights pearing for the builders. Refusing to be silenced, Jaising hitched up her pallu like a Maharashtrian woman preparing for battle and slammed her own file down in mimicry.

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Fashion

The most loyal zodiac signs, ranked

The most loyal zodiac signs, ranked


We’ve been hardwired to chase success no matter the cost—health, friendships, relationships. You may think that the most loyal zodiac signs are just built differently and have something elemental that allows them to see the best in people. The truth, however, is that they’re great observers and can simply see in a person what the rest of us miss—observations that allow them to decide whether a person is worth their trust or not. Not many of us are lucky enough to have the unflinching devotion of the most loyal zodiac signs, so if you do, make sure you protect it with everything you’ve got.

Taurus

They love being in charge because, be it a room, a person or the news, they are excellent at reading between the lines. While these headstrong bulls can be temperamental to deal with, lift a finger towards their loved ones and expect to lose an arm. They tend to be loyal to the bone, but once their trust is broken, it will take you a lifetime to gain it back. Don’t make that mistake and always make sure you’re in a Taurean’s good books.

Cancer

Aquarius

They may seem whimsical and fickle in many ways, but Aquarians tend to be the rocks within their relationships. They are great at preserving their independence and relationships in equal measure and are therefore more willing to look for the sunshine behind every grey cloud. Their family and community are everything to them, and they will go to any length to keep things filled with love and mutual respect. Displays of affection may not be their thing, but if there’s one friend who’ll always stand up for you when you’re not in the room, it’s your Aquarian buddy. With Aquarians, it’s all about looking beneath the surface.

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Fashion

How to shave the correct way for silky smooth skin

How to shave the correct way for silky smooth skin


We’ve all been there. You go to shave for smooth skin, but you’re stuck wondering how to shave in a way that doesn’t give you ingrown hair and razor bumps. Here’s the thing: proper care and quality razors can really make a difference in preventing these painful bumps.

“What people refer to as razor bumps is most often a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae, which typically looks like small red bumps or white-headed pimples,” says Deanne Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut. Razor bumps can range from ingrown hairs to folliculitis, which occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed. And it’s important to care for it before a superficial infection develops.

So how can we address razor bumps in the first place? Ahead, we’re sharing what you can do to treat current bumps and how to shave to prevent them from hpening in the first place.

What causes razor bumps?

According to Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mitchell Dermatology, razor bumps hpen when hair grows back into the skin instead of outward, leading to inflammation. “I see this most often in people with coarse or curly hair and it’s usually triggered by very close shaving or shaving against the direction of hair growth,” she says. There are also factors within your skin care routine that can cause razor bumps, from using a dull blade to not exfoliating correctly beforehand.

How to get rid of razor bumps

Step 1: Choose the right razor

Choosing the right razor is the first step in mitigating bumps and itchy razor burn. “Shaving with a dull blade pulls and twists the hair follicle, triggering irritation and inflammation,” says Dr Robinson. Plus, “a dull blade means that the razor has likely been sitting in your shower for a while, which is a bacteria’s ideal environment to thrive in: wet and warm. If your razor is harboring bacteria or fungus, you will most certainly see folliculitis.” What this means: change out your razor often and use a sharp, clean blade every time you shave. Rachel Nazarian, M.D, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, recommends replacing your blades after a few uses. “Toss them out by the fourth shave or even earlier if you see buildup of dirt or dead skin on the blades,” she says.

Pro tip: Shave toward the grain of where your hair grows.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Ingrown hairs are another type of razor bumps. This can occur when you skip exfoliation before shaving, causing the follicles to get blocked and hairs to grow inward, curled up in the skin. They aren’t as immediately noticeable, says Dr Nazarian. “Ingrown hairs take longer to present because the hair needs to grow out before it turns inward, while folliculitis typically occurs within one to two days,” she says.

Light exfoliation can help release ingrown hairs. Just remember to be gentle and avoid any harsh scrubbing. Look for over-the-counter body care products with salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which will help loosen the hairs. And most importantly, never pick at them. We recommend using a scrub, ingrown hair tonics, exfoliating pads or ingrown-hair pads to help clarify the area.

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Fashion

23 of the best vintage dresses to have graced the Cannes red carpet

23 of the best vintage dresses to have graced the Cannes red carpet


Some other Vogue vintage favourites? Michelle Williams looking like an archive Chanel angel in a nostalgic pale tea-dress silhouette in 2008, Angelina Jolie side-stepping her usual thigh-slit gowns in favour of a ’50s Balmain couture mini in 2008, and Naomi Campbell’s sheer-skirted Chanel spring/summer 1997 couture gown – a look that would now fall foul of the festival’s rules on nudity on the red carpet – in 2024.

Naked dressing or not, expect to see plenty more vintage on the red carpet this summer. In the meantime, take a look back at the best vintage dresses at Cannes Film Festival over the years.

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