Kelly Ripa is opening up about a painful dental procedure after revealing that a habit she thought was good for her health may have actually damaged her gums.
The 55-year-old television host recently shared on her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera, that she is an “over-brusher” and brushes her teeth too much. According to Ripa, the excessive brushing contributed to gum recession, eventually forcing her to undergo gum graft surgery.
Ripa admitted that the procedure was not exactly easy. Her recovery included strict instructions not to speak for 10 days, along with eating soft foods and avoiding straws and flossing.
The surgery also kept Ripa away from Live with Kelly and Mark while she recovered. Her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, previously confirmed that the procedure was painful and said doctors were closely monitoring her recovery.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was that Ripa had actually been advised to have the procedure years earlier. She revealed that she had put it off for approximately five years before her doctor told her she could no longer wait.
Ripa’s experience is a reminder that even good dental habits can become harmful when taken too far. Dentists generally recommend brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush rather than aggressively scrubbing the teeth and gums.
For Ripa, what started as an effort to keep her smile healthy ultimately resulted in a painful lesson — sometimes, more isn’t always better.
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