Kelly Ripa is setting the record straight about the surprising daily habit that temporarily forced her off the air. 

The 55-year-old talk show host recently stepped away from Live with Kelly and Mark, leaving her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos to manage the morning show alongside a rotation of guest co-hosts. While viewers knew she was recovering from a painful oral procedure, Ripa shared more info during an episode of her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera. 

During a conversation with comedian Michelle Buteau, Ripa called her aggressive oral hygiene routine a “good-bad habit” that ultimately backfired. 

“I’m an over-brusher. I brush my teeth too much. It’s a good bad habit,” she said. “But I’ve caused gum recession down here specifically, and so they have gotta re-gum my gums.”

According to the American Dental Association, scrubbing too vigorously, brushing more than the recommended twice a day, or using hard-bristled toothbrushes can permanently wear away delicate gum tissue and enamel over time. 

“Before you praise me, I was supposed to do it five years ago,” she continued. “But now, just so you know, the doctor was like, ‘Now, you don’t have the luxury of time!’” 

Ripa’s specific situation was caused by over-brushing, but gum recession can happen to anyone — whether it’s from aggressive brushing, plaque buildup, or genetics. And because receding gums cannot grow back naturally, catching the problem early is the only way to preserve your smile and your oral health. 

Unlike the top of your teeth, root surfaces aren’t covered by tough enamel, which means they’re more susceptible to severe sensitivity, decay, and bacterial infection. There are a few non-surgical treatment options for receding gums, including topical antibiotics, dental bonding, and braces (in some cases). However, gum graft surgery is the best treatment option for long-term dental health. 

If left untreated, severe gum recession and advanced gum disease can cause extreme tooth sensitivity, irreversible bone loss in the jaw and support structure, and loose or “wiggly” teeth. 

The surgery left the morning host facing a strict two-week recovery process. Doctors ordered her not to speak for 10 days so the tissue graft could heal properly. 

On Live, Consuelos gave fans an update on her condition, noting that his wife usually has an extraordinarily high pain tolerance. 

“She famously doesn’t feel pain,” Consuelos told the audience. “When she goes to the dentist, she doesn’t use novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad.” 

While taking a mandatory break is never easy for the daytime host, she’s using her experience to remind viewers that even the best habits need moderation.