Television host Kelly Ripa is recovering after undergoing a painful gum graft procedure that temporarily left her unable to speak, prompting her absence from Live with Kelly and Mark. During the July 2026 broadcasts, co-host and husband Mark Consuelos explained that Ripa was recuperating from oral surgery after years of gum recession caused by aggressive tooth brushing. According to the reports, Ripa underwent the procedure to treat gum recession after years of vigorous brushing, which gradually decreased the gum tissue around her teeth. According to Colgate, diagnosis is typically made through a dental examination that measures gum recession and evaluates overall gum health. Regular dental visits allow dentists to identify gum recession early, when conservative measures may help slow its progression before surgery becomes necessary.