Because of his amazing ability to shoot from beyond the arc, Stephen Curry is a formidable player in the NBA. Over the course of his career, the superstar’s tooth guard has essentially become an extension of himself.

Since his college days, Curry has worn a mouth guard while playing, and it has come to symbolise his on-court image. What distinguishes him, though, is how he uses it. He frequently keeps it to one side of his mouth and nibbles on it during timeouts.

In a 2015 interview, Curry gave an explanation for his constant mouthguard use. He thought he needed additional jaw protection in 2007 after he got into a fight with Jon Brick. During vigorous play, the tooth guard keeps the player’s teeth from being knocked out of position.

Even though Stephen Curry clearly benefits from his tooth guard, his friends and family might not feel the same way. His mother, Sonya, laughs off her son’s odd habits, such picking his nose, biting his nails, and always carrying a tooth protector in his mouth. She hesitates to tell him that he needs to change, though.

In a 2019 interview with HuffPost, dental hygienist Cindy Hernandez-Sturrock voiced her professional concerns about Curry’s habitual gum chewing. She warned that doing so could undermine the guard’s reliability and hence its effectiveness.

Stephen Curry’s unusual routine of chewing on his tooth guard is indicative of the individualized rituals and habits that successful sportsmen use to reach their full potential. Although it’s not the norm, it’s a huge part of what makes him stand out on the court.