Kelly Ripa has opened up about the dental issue that forced her to step away from Live with Kelly and Mark. The 55-year-old revealed that one of her daily habits damaged her gums. She also shared that doctors told her she could no longer delay the needed procedure. Ripa talked about her painful experience in her podcast.
Kelly Ripa says brushing too much damaged her gums and led to a gum graft
Ripa discussed her gum graft on the Aug. 12 episode of her Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast. She spoke with Survival of the Thickest creator and star Michelle Buteau about the procedure. Ripa said the surgery “sounds painful,” and she agreed when Buteau called it painful. The doctor advised her not to talk for 10 days after the procedure.
Ripa explained that she needed the surgery because she brushes her teeth too much. “I’m an over-brusher,” she told Buteau. She explained that the bad habit had led to gum recession and now doctors have to “re-gum” the area. The process involves taking skin from the roof of the mouth and transplanting it to the gums.
Ripa also admitted that she delayed the procedure for about five years. She said her doctor recently told her, “Now, you don’t have the luxury of time.” Ripa then joked about the stress of being silent for 10 days. Her gum graft kept her away from Live for about two weeks as she recovered.
During her absence, Mark Consuelos told viewers that Ripa had undergone a painful dental procedure. He said she needed to eat soft foods, avoid straws and avoid checking the surgery site. Kevin Jonas joined Consuelos as a guest co-host during Ripa’s recovery. Buteau, Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, Scott Foley, Sarah Chalke, Jenna Dewan and Carrie Coon also helped host the show.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT KELLY RIPA’S ADMISSION THAT HER OVER-BRUSHING HABIT LED TO HER GUM RECESSION AND EVENTUAL SURGERY?
