Thirty years of marriage come with stories you never forget. For Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, one of those memories involves a brief but unforgettable dental mishap that still makes Ripa laugh—and recoil—all these years later.
The now-famous missing tooth moment resurfaced during a recent episode of their talk show, reminding viewers that even Hollywood couples have awkward chapters. According to People, the story remains one of Ripa’s most vivid memories from their long relationship.
Mark Consuelos’s Missing Tooth Became a Marriage Memory
Consuelos temporarily lost a front tooth while undergoing dental implant work. When Ripa first saw him without it, she admitted the reaction was instant. She praised his looks, then confessed the missing tooth completely changed his face in her eyes.
The audience later saw a photo that captured the moment. Consuelos smiled confidently, unfazed by the gap. The image turned Mark Consuelos’s missing tooth into a running joke, with Ripa teasing that wedding vows never prepared her for dental surprises.
How a Childhood Accident Led to the Missing Tooth
The story surrounding Mark Consuelos’ missing tooth began decades earlier. As a fourth grader, Consuelos chipped his permanent tooth during a school obstacle course. That injury followed him into adulthood, requiring repeated repairs before doctors recommended a permanent implant.
While waiting for the final implant, Consuelos wore a temporary denture known as a flipper. He treated it like a prop, popping it out to surprise people and leaning into the humor. Even while traveling for work, the missing tooth became part of the experience rather than something to hide. Looking back, Mark Consuelos’ episode captures the reality of long marriages. Small moments turn into shared legends. For Ripa and Consuelos, the memory now lives on as proof that laughter often matters more than perfection.