Dr. Mili Gupta on Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants & Dental Myths | Cutting Chai Podcast

Dr. Mili Gupta Podcast Dental Myths

30th Oct 2026

Dr. Mili Gupta on Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants & Dental Myths | Cutting Chai Podcast

By Dr. Mili Gupta, Prosthodontist & Implantologist, AMD Dental Clinic, Jaipur

Recently, I sat down with Josh on the Cutting Chai podcast for a conversation that covered everything from my childhood dreams to smile makeovers, dental implants and the dental myths I hear in my clinic almost every day. Many of you asked me to put the highlights in writing, so here is my story and my advice, straight from the dental chair.

I Never Planned to Become a Dentist

I will be completely honest: I never wanted to be a doctor. I dreamt of becoming a civil engineer. My father wanted me to be an engineer, my mother wanted a doctor in the family, and since I studied PCMB, I had both maths and biology. Everything changed when my sister got into dental college. Watching her closely, I saw the scope of dentistry and how purely surgical the branch is, and I found it fascinating.

In college, I could not even pronounce the names of my branches properly. Then my anatomy teacher, Dr. Hema Praveen Kudva, spotted my potential and gave me that initial push. When I scored the highest in my first year, my confidence soared, and I simply kept going. Today, I am a prosthodontist and implantologist with seven-plus distinctions, several publications and awards, including the Solaris Sculpt Award, which let me test my artistic side alongside my clinical skills for the first time.

The Family Behind My Success

I give 100% of the credit for who I am today to my family. I grew up in a joint family with my grandfather and parents, who are strict yet my best friends, along with an elder sister and a younger brother. While I prepared for NEET PG, I studied at night, and my father stayed awake to bring me a cup of tea at 4:00 am. When exam anxiety killed my appetite, my mother fed me with her own hands. When we started the clinic, my father became my biggest cheerleader, telling everyone about it and still asking me for visiting cards. My husband and in-laws are equally supportive. When your family is your backbone, you can win any race.

The Moment That Made Me Proud to Be a Dentist

In 8th or 9th standard, I visited a relative who had suffered tooth pain for years and had lost several teeth. After his dental treatment, he happily showed us he could eat chikki and told my parents he could finally enjoy everything. That moment stayed with me while choosing my branch. Even today, when a patient tells me they can enjoy their food again, I feel I have been that dentist in someone's life.

Your Teeth Are an Investment, Not an Expense

You have one nose, two ears and two eyes, but 32 teeth. Your teeth handle a chewing force of around 150 newtons, so any treatment must rehabilitate them to that level. Try surviving only on protein shakes and a liquid diet. You will be fed up in two days! If you treat dental care as an expense today, it will become truly expensive tomorrow. A tooth that seems unimportant now will matter hugely later in life.

Common Dental Problems and Myths I See Every Day

Tooth pain and root canal treatment. Many people believe they should visit a dentist only when a tooth becomes loose or unbearably painful. By then, a tooth that could have been saved early is often lost. Timely root canal treatment can save your natural tooth, and with modern technology, we offer single-visit root canal treatment at AMD.

Dental anxiety. This is very real. It often begins in childhood, when a child is told, "Cooperate, or the doctor will give you an injection." Painful extractions or failed treatments add to the fear. Today, we have moved to conscious sedation, so even a two-year-old can complete a treatment like a pulpectomy without feeling anything. Patients should always know they are in control and can pause whenever they want.

Wisdom tooth myths. No, removing wisdom teeth will not make you blind. I had mine removed, and my eyes are still 6/6.

Bleeding or swollen gums. These are signs your gums need attention, and ignoring them puts your teeth at risk.

Missing or loose teeth. Replacing a missing tooth is not cosmetic. It helps you bite and chew and improves your quality of life.

TMJ problems and disc erosion. Even 18-year-olds can come to me with jaw joint issues and severe pain. The good news is that these problems are fixable.

Dental Implants: My Most Memorable Case

My most memorable case was placing dental implants for a 100-year-old patient. He came to me late in life, when hardly any teeth remained. Implants need good bone quality and good systemic health, so we planned carefully and prepared for every dental emergency. He celebrated his 100th birthday, and the very next day we placed his implants. Today, he is energetic, enjoys his food and is still with us. He chose me as his dentist and trusted me, and that is the greatest reward I could ask for.

What We Offer at AMD Dental Clinic

AMD is a multi specialty clinic in Jaipur. We handle everything from a simple teeth cleaning to complex procedures such as sinus lifts, dental implants and full mouth rehabilitation. We also offer braces, aligners, veneers and laser-assisted teeth whitening treatment for patients who want a brighter smile. Thanks to CAD/CAM technology, we can provide one-day crowns and even a full denture in a single day.

We also do maxillofacial prosthetics, where we rehabilitate missing facial structures caused by cancer, accidents or birth defects with prosthetic eyes, ears, noses and obturators. This greatly improves a patient's quality of life. We also conduct early oral cancer screening.

My 5-Minute Oral Hygiene Routine

Most people think brushing twice a day is enough, but oral hygiene is more than that. Start with 15 seconds of mouthwash to loosen plaque, the yellow deposit on your teeth. Then brush for two minutes, never horizontally. Massage your gums with your fingers for two minutes, because your teeth sit in bone covered by gums. Finish with 10 seconds of tongue cleaning. Do this morning and night, and do not skip the spaces between your teeth. Please avoid toothpicks, and visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning.

Dental Care Is Not a Luxury

In India, dentistry is often treated as cosmetic. Aligners, whitening and veneers are cosmetic, but fixing a missing tooth is not. I hope dental treatment will be covered under insurance one day, and I want to spread dental awareness, especially in rural areas where people think extraction is the only answer to pain.

How to Choose the Best Dentist in Jaipur

Today, patients check social media, Google reviews and even ChatGPT. This helps you shortlist, but then go for a consultation and choose the dentist who makes you comfortable and acts in your best interest. Look for someone who explains your options and takes your informed consent. If you are searching for the best dentist in Jaipur, my promise is an honest, specialist-oriented practice at AMD with international standards.

My Biggest Lesson: Stay Calm

Everyone faces difficult phases. Staying calm helps you decide better. For me, my patients' trust and my family's support carried me through. So take your teeth seriously, because a healthy mouth lets you enjoy your favourite snack for life. Keep smiling!