Kelly Ripa Returns to 'Live' After Painful Surgery Caused by 'Good-Bad Habit'

Kelly Ripa has finally returned to Live with Kelly and Mark on Tuesday, September 8, after taking some time off to recover from gum graft surgery.

The 55-year-old host admitted she was trying to change her dental habits after the treatment.

"I’m retraining myself. I host a morning show. I know when there’s bad dental hygiene involved. It’s a good-bad habit, or a bad-good habit," Ripa said.

Ripa reunited with her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, and shared an update on her recovery exclusively with People.

Ripa gave an update on how she was feeling after the surgery.

"I’m so much better," she said.

Ripa also recalled what her dentist told her after she continued putting off the procedure.

She revealed, "It was fine. It was definitely necessary. I delayed it for five years. I really did because I was like, 'I’ll wait until I retire.' And then, eventually my dentist was like, 'Okay, now we have to finish it.'"

Ripa returned to the show after six weeks and spent part of her break on vacation while admitting that having stitches in her mouth was "a little strange."

"She doesn’t follow instructions very well," Consuelos told People about his wife.

Ripa also admitted she had trouble staying quiet during her recovery.

"Oh, I was talking the whole time," she said.

"I was talking like crazy. He was like, 'You’re not supposed to be talking.' I’m like, 'I’m fine!' It did look weird, though, when I talked," she added.

Her recovery also led to an amusing moment with her producers.

"What was funny, a few of my producers said, 'You just need to take the cotton out, take the cotton out from under your lower lip.' And I was like, 'There is no cotton. That is just swelling. That’s why I’m not at work today,'" Ripa recalled.

Ripa said her dental habits played a role in why she needed the surgery.

She had spent years "over brushing" and "over flossing" her teeth.

Consuelos even joked that his wife takes her dental routine seriously, as it could take her five minutes to brush her teeth.

Ripa admitted she was now trying to change her habits.

"I’m getting better," she said.

As per the Cleveland Clinic, the procedure can help protect exposed tooth roots and reduce sensitivity.

Consuelos first addressed Ripa’s absence during the July 27 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.

"Kelly sends her love," Consuelos, 55, said while welcoming guest co-host Kevin Jonas.

"Kelly had a little bit — well, it’s not a little — she had a gum graft surgery," he added.

He then explained how difficult the recovery had been for Ripa.

"She famously doesn’t feel pain," he said.

"When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t use the Novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad," he added.

However, the following day, on July 28, Consuelos shared another update.

He said Ripa was "feeling better" and could even say "certain things."