Lol... people ask me the same!!! All I know is he was horrid for his first 2 teeth and been waaaaaaaaaay much better since, so I can only assume taht YES it helps.... and NO I haven't taken it off to test cos I'm too scared too...lol. I've been asked if I've taken it off and I respond... ummm do I look that stupid I ain't testing it!!!! lol. I have 2 friends who have bought them for their kiddies and one of them swears by it, the other well her little one hasn't teethed yet. I have heard too that for some kids another one on their ankle and/or wrist helps when it's really bad.