Kelly Ripa Jokes Retainer Acts as “Chastity Belt” During Live Show

Kelly Ripa recently joked about her nighttime dental routine during an episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, turning a discussion about oral health into a light conversation about her marriage.

Ripa described wearing a retainer at night to manage long-term teeth grinding and jaw clenching, a condition known as bruxism. She referred to the device as a “chastity belt” for her mouth, explaining that it can make spontaneous affection with her husband, Mark Consuelos, less likely. According to Ripa, the effort required to remove the retainer tends to interrupt the moment.

Consuelos joined in the humor, pointing out that the appliance affects her speech. He said Ripa sometimes slurs her words when she first puts the retainer in at night and again in the morning, adding to what he described as the “unromantic” aspects of the routine. He also commented on how many dental devices she uses, asking whether she wears both upper and lower retainers.

Ripa shared more detail about the medical reasons behind the routine. She said she has spent more than three decades addressing dental issues caused by clenching and grinding, which were not corrected earlier in life because she did not have braces as a child. In addition to wearing retainers, she receives Botox injections in her jaw muscles every four to six months. The treatment helps reduce muscle tension and, she said, has significantly improved her condition.

The couple has previously joked on air about setting boundaries between their personal and professional lives, including references to “vows of chastity” during busy work periods.