Kelly Ripa’s Gum Surgery Reveals a Common Tooth-Brushing Mistake

Kelly Ripa has always been known for taking care of herself, but the television host recently revealed that one of her supposedly healthy habits may have gone too far.

Ripa underwent gum graft surgery after developing gum recession, which she said was connected to the way she brushed her teeth.

On her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera, Ripa described herself as an “over-brusher” and called the habit a “good-bad habit.”

“I brush my teeth too much,” Ripa said, explaining that the habit had caused gum recession in a specific area of her mouth. She had reportedly been advised to have the procedure about five years earlier but eventually reached the point where her doctor told her she could no longer put it off.

Her experience raises a surprisingly common question:

Can brushing your teeth too hard actually damage your gums?

The answer is yes.

But there is an important distinction. Brushing too aggressively is one possible cause of gum recession, not necessarily the cause in every person who develops it.

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession happens when gum tissue pulls away from a tooth, exposing more of the tooth or its root.

That can lead to sensitivity, particularly when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet. Exposed roots can also be more vulnerable to cavities and other dental problems.

According to Cleveland Clinic, aggressive toothbrushing is one potential cause of gum recession. Other causes can include periodontal disease, genetics, trauma, tobacco use and the positioning of the teeth.

That means Ripa’s experience shouldn’t be interpreted as saying that everyone with receding gums has been brushing incorrectly.

Instead, it is a reminder that more pressure isn’t necessarily better dental care.

How Brushing Too Hard Can Hurt Your Gums

When you brush aggressively, you’re putting repeated mechanical pressure on the gum tissue surrounding your teeth.

Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or scrubbing back and forth with excessive force can contribute to irritation and gum damage.

The American Dental Association recommends choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush and using gentle pressure when brushing.

You don’t have to scrub your teeth as though you’re trying to remove a stain from a countertop.

The goal is to remove plaque and food debris while being gentle around the gums.

The Signs You Might Be Brushing Too Hard

You may not realize you’re applying too much pressure until your dentist points it out.

Some signs worth paying attention to include:

• Your toothbrush bristles become flattened or frayed quickly.
• Your gums frequently feel irritated after brushing.
• Your teeth have become more sensitive.
• You notice that your teeth appear longer than they used to.
• You can see more of the tooth near the gumline.
• Your gums hurt when you brush or floss.

Gum recession can sometimes be subtle, so changes in sensitivity or the appearance of your gumline are worth mentioning to your dentist.

What You Should Do

The answer isn’t to brush less or stop brushing.

Instead, change your technique.

1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush

The American Dental Association recommends soft bristles. They can clean effectively without requiring the aggressive pressure that can irritate gum tissue.

2. Ease up on the pressure

If you find yourself pressing hard against your teeth, consciously lighten your grip.

Think gentle massage rather than aggressive scrubbing.

If you aren’t sure whether you’re using too much pressure, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to watch your brushing technique.

3. Brush twice a day

Being gentle doesn’t mean cutting back on brushing.

The ADA recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

4. Clean between your teeth every day

A toothbrush can’t effectively clean every space between your teeth.

The ADA recommends cleaning between your teeth daily using floss or another appropriate interdental cleaner.

5. Consider a Waterpik or water flosser

This is another option for cleaning between your teeth.

A water flosser, sometimes commonly called a Waterpik, uses pulses of water to clean between and around teeth. The ADA says water flossers can be an alternative to traditional flossing, particularly for people who have difficulty using string floss.

Water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been tested for safety and effectiveness in removing plaque, and the ADA says they can help reduce gingivitis.

A water flosser isn’t a replacement for brushing, and it shouldn’t be viewed as a treatment for gum recession. But it can be a useful part of a daily oral-care routine.

6. Don’t ignore gum recession

If you notice exposed tooth roots, increasing sensitivity or changes in the appearance of your gums, make an appointment with your dentist.

Cleveland Clinic recommends getting gum recession evaluated because treatment can help prevent the problem from progressing.

Does Gum Recession Grow Back?

Unfortunately, receded gum tissue generally doesn’t grow back on its own.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Some people may simply need monitoring and changes to their oral-care routine, while others may require periodontal treatment.

In more significant cases, a dentist may refer a patient to a periodontist, a specialist who treats conditions affecting the gums and supporting structures around the teeth. Gum grafting is one treatment that can be used for certain cases of gum recession.

That is the type of procedure Ripa recently underwent.

What Is Gum Graft Surgery?

A gum graft involves placing healthy tissue over an area where the gum has receded.

According to Cleveland Clinic, gum grafting is generally performed by a periodontist. Depending on the procedure, tissue may come from another area of the patient’s mouth or from other available grafting materials.

Ripa has described the procedure and recovery as particularly difficult. Her husband and Live with Kelly and Mark co-host Mark Consuelos told viewers that she was under doctor’s orders not to talk during part of her recovery.

Ripa had reportedly postponed the recommended surgery for several years before finally having it done.

The Big Lesson From Kelly Ripa’s Dental Surgery

There is an interesting irony to Ripa’s story.

She wasn’t neglecting her teeth.

She was trying to take really good care of them.

But when it comes to brushing, more isn’t always better.

A healthy dental routine is about consistency and technique, not force.

Brush twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be gentle around your gums. Clean between your teeth every day, whether you prefer traditional floss, interdental brushes or an ADA-accepted water flosser.

And if your gums are receding or your teeth have suddenly become sensitive, don’t try to fix the problem by brushing harder.

That’s exactly when you should talk to your dentist.

Kelly Ripa’s story is a good reminder that sometimes the healthiest change isn’t doing more — it’s learning to do the same thing a little more gently.

Sources

• People — Kelly Ripa Talks About Her Gum Graft Surgery
• People — Kelly Ripa Recovers From Painful Gum Graft Surgery
• American Dental Association — Toothbrushes
• American Academy of Periodontology — Gum Disease Information
• Cleveland Clinic — Gum Recession
• PubMed — Toothbrushing and Gingival Recession
• National Library of Medicine — Impact of Toothbrushing on Oral Health, Gingival Recession and Cervical Abrasion

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