If you’ve spent more than five minutes watching a Golden State Warriors game over the last decade, you’ve seen it. It’s that mangled piece of clear plastic dangling precariously from the side of Stephen Curry’s mouth. Sometimes it’s bouncing like a nervous piston while he stalks the perimeter. Other times, it’s being gnawed on with the kind of intensity most people reserve for a steak dinner.
Honestly, it’s kind of gross if you think about it too long. Saliva-drenched plastic flying around on national TV? Not exactly the peak of hygiene. But for Steph, that mouthguard is way more than just a piece of safety equipment. It’s a psychological anchor, a sensory habit, and—believe it or not—a statistical advantage.
The $5,000 Habit That Started With a Bloody Mess
Steph didn’t always play with a piece of plastic hanging out of his face. The origin story actually goes back to his college days at Davidson in 2007. During a game against The Citadel, Steph caught a nasty elbow to the jaw. It wasn't just a bump; there was blood on the hardwood and he ended up needing seven stitches at halftime.
That was the "never again" moment. He picked up a mouthguard the very next day and hasn't played a competitive game without one since.
But why the chewing?
Most players keep their guards tucked away. Not Steph. He’s admitted that he goes through about 12 mouthguards a season because he literally eats them. He chews through the plastic until they’re deformed. He’s said it keeps him "at peace," especially during the high-pressure environment of the free-throw line. It’s a sensory tick—kinda like how some people bite their nails or twirl their hair when they’re locked in.
Does He Actually Shoot Better While Chewing It?
This is where things get weirdly scientific. Back in 2016, the Wall Street Journal did a deep dive into the "Curry Mouthguard Effect." They analyzed a massive sample of his free throws to see if the position of the guard actually mattered.
The results were enough to make any data nerd lose their mind:
- Mouthguard IN: Steph shot 89.4% from the line.
- Mouthguard OUT (Dangling/Chewing): Steph shot 92.5%.
A 3% jump might not sound like a lot to a casual fan, but in the NBA, that’s the difference between being a "great" shooter and being the greatest of all time. When Steph heard the stat, he wasn't even surprised. He told reporters that when he shoots with it in, it feels "weird" because it’s where it’s supposed to be. For him, the "out" position is the "I’m in the zone" position.
The Under Armour Lemonade Connection
If you’ve ever wondered what that thing tastes like, you aren't alone. For a significant chunk of his career, Steph had a deal with Under Armour to wear a "FlavorBlast" mouthguard.
Yes, it was lemonade-flavored.
The idea was that the flavor beads were embedded in the plastic so it wouldn't just taste like a gym bag. While he’s been seen with clear, custom-fit guards more recently, the lemonade-flavored era cemented the mouthguard as part of his "brand." It turned an ugly piece of medical equipment into a literal accessory that kids were asking for at Dick's Sporting Goods.
When the Mouthguard Becomes a Weapon (Sorta)
You can't talk about the Steph Curry mouth guard without talking about the ejections.
Steph is one of the most composed players in league history, but when he does lose his cool, the mouthguard is the first thing to go. He’s been ejected from multiple games—most famously Game 6 of the 2016 Finals—for hurlng his mouthpiece in frustration.
In 2016, he accidentally hit the son of a Cavaliers minority owner with it. That little outburst cost him $25,000. He did it again in 2017 (another $50,000 fine) and again in 2023. At this point, the NBA front office probably has a specific "Curry Mouthpiece" line item in their accounting software.
Why Basketball Players Actually Need Them (The Non-Steph Reason)
Even though Steph makes it look like a fidget toy, the medical necessity is real. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association pointed out that basketball actually has higher rates of dental injuries than football.
Why? Because football players wear helmets and cages. In basketball, you’ve got ten giants jumping in a confined space with zero face protection. Elbows, shoulders, and heads are constantly clashing. Without a guard, you’re looking at:
- Chipped Enamel: The most common "war wound" in pickup ball.
- Soft Tissue Lacerations: Basically biting through your own lip because someone bumped your arm while you were shooting.
- Jaw Fracture Prevention: A good custom-fit guard (like the 3mm clear ones Steph often uses) acts as a shock absorber for the entire lower face.
Getting the "Steph Look" Without Ruining Your Teeth
If you're a player looking to mimic the GOAT, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. Most "boil and bite" guards from the grocery store are too bulky. If you try to chew those like Steph does, you’ll just gag or end up with a mouth full of shredded rubber.
Pro-level players use custom-fabricated guards made from a dental impression. These are thin enough to let you breathe and talk (or talk trash) without taking them out.
Actionable Advice for Your Next Game:
- Get a Custom Fit: If you’re serious about ball, skip the $10 cheapies. A custom-molded guard (like those from SportingSmiles or a local dentist) stays in place even when you’re sprinting.
- Don’t Actually Chew It: Unless you have an NBA salary to buy a new one every week, try to keep the chewing to a minimum. It breaks down the material and ruins the protection.
- Clean It Daily: Saliva breeds bacteria. Fast. Rinse your guard in cold water and use a non-abrasive soap. If it starts smelling like a locker room, it’s time to toss it.
- Check the "Zone": If you find yourself struggling at the line, maybe try Steph's trick. Keep the guard out, find your rhythm, and see if that 3% boost works for you too.
At the end of the day, the mouthguard is just part of the Steph Curry mythos. It's a weird, slightly gross, but undeniably effective part of his routine. Whether it’s the lemonade flavor or the 92% free throw rate, that little piece of plastic is here to stay.
Next Steps for Your Gear
If you're looking to upgrade your on-court protection, your best bet is to look into custom-fit laboratory mouthguards. These are the same 3mm clear versions used by NBA and NFL athletes to ensure they can breathe and communicate clearly during high-intensity play. While the "boil and bite" versions are fine for a quick pickup game, the custom route is the only way to get that low-profile "Steph" feel without the bulk.