Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Stein, Ph.D..
Hi Emily Stein, Ph.D., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m excited to share my journey with you. Primal Health, LLC is my passion project—a venture inspired by deeply personal experiences. My grandmother’s stroke and the near-death of my new rescue dog, both plagued by dental disease, pushed me to develop a way to naturally restore balance to the oral microbiome, ultimately supporting dental health in both humans and pets.
Back in 2009, while I was a postdoctoral fellow in Rheumatology and Immunology at Stanford University, my Grandmother [and best friend] had a healthy competition of online Scrabble. Since she lived in Wisconsin, I would wake up to her play. One morning she didn’t make her move. Later that day, I learned from my Mom that she had suffered a major stroke. It wasn’t until a few days later that I found out she had a tooth extracted shortly before the stroke. Now we know that there is a 50% increased risk of strokes or heart attacks – that can last up to four weeks after procedures like tooth extractions or dental implant surgeries. I understood that during these invasive procedures, microbes from the mouth—normally kept at bay by healthy gums— enter the bloodstream and can cause serious complications. Even routine dental cleanings can lead to transient bacteremia, further highlighting the vulnerability of our oral environment.
Determined to find a solution, I flew to Wisconsin to take oral samples from my grandmother, then set up a miniature laboratory back in California. Over the course of three years of research and development, I discovered what would eventually be named Selective Microbial Metabolism Regulation Technology (SMMRT)—a groundbreaking solution in balancing the oral microbiome.
The journey continued a few years later when I rescued Tinzley, a 10-year-old female Cocker Spaniel from a rescue organization in Washington State. I learned that Tinzley needed a dental cleaning, but on our long drive home to the Bay Area, she became noticeably distressed and lethargic. I rushed her to an emergency vet where it was determined that her gum disease had advanced into a bloodstream infection. In the end, 21 of her teeth had to be removed, and she underwent a course of IV and oral antibiotics to overcome the infection. The experience was not only heartbreaking but also eye-opening—especially when I dug in and found that statistics show 80% of pets develop dental disease by age 3, which in turn can reduce their lifespan by up to one-third.
Studies show that current antibiotic and antiseptic treatments fall short in managing the harmful microbes in the mouth. In fact, these approaches may contribute to antimicrobial resistance and the rise of “superbugs”. The events with my grandmother and Tinzley inspired me to take a different path for oral health. This led to the creation of two brands under Primal Health: Daily Dental Care for humans and TEEF for Life for pets, both designed to build up a person or pet’s own personalized healthy microbes.
In 2017, it became clear that to truly make an impact, I needed to bring this novel technology to the world. I reached out to my long-time close friend, Lindsey Campbell, who I met while we were both in graduate school and who has extensive background in marketing and business, which could complement my experience in science and product development. I invited Lindsey to join me on this journey. Together, we launched Primal Health, LLC (PrimalHealthllc.com), focusing on the commercialization of our technology for promoting dental hygiene in pets and people.
Our initial product was Daily Dental Care pHossident lozenges—a convenient, clinically proven way to balance the oral microbiome and support daily dental health, specifically built for my grandmother. The more dentists, hygienists and customers we spoke with, the more we were asked for a pet version. In response, we introduced TEEF for Life (TEEFhealth.com) in late 2019. Even with our limited resources at the time, Lindsey and I dedicated ourselves to refining the technology and growing the brand, which has since earned numerous accolades and has drawn significant attention from key players in the industry.
My commitment to helping pets and people extends far beyond oral health. With Primal Therapies, our parent company and intellectual property estate holder, I’m already looking ahead to applying SMMRT science to address unmet needs in women’s health, gut health, and agriculture across the globe.
Every step of this journey has been deeply personal and rewarding, and I continue to be driven by the desire to make a lasting, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of both humans and animals.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure how to say this softly but, if you’re looking for a smooth road, entrepreneurship isn’t an endeavor you should pursue. This is my fifth startup and each and every one of those journeys had a significant number of challenges.
For us, the difficulty of commercializing science-based solutions (and doing it well) has been challenging to say the least. The melding of educating the customer on a new science along with the long-term benefits of investing in maintaining health takes time… and money! To consumers, data can be overwhelming. To potential business partners, there’s never enough data. We find ourselves straddling the line between being a R&D engine for oral microbiome solutions, while functioning day-to-day as a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company in order to generate enough revenue to keep the lights on.
There is also the issue of problematic partners and investors. If there’s any advice I could give to fellow entrepreneurs when raising funds, it is to date before you marry. People’s true colors tend to show when there is adversity or when there is big future upside. Make sure to be very selective about who you bring into your company, otherwise it can be incredibly time, resource, and energy-consuming.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Primal Therapies, Inc. has the potential to disrupt the status quo by challenging traditional paradigms and introducing novel approaches to microbiome modulation. Through strategic collaborations and cutting-edge research, innovative solutions are created to address unmet needs across various sectors, including healthcare, agricultural and ecological growth.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is making a tangible difference in people’s lives and in their health and the health of our beloved pets. Poor oral health is now strongly linked to countless systemic health issues ranging from colon cancer to Alzheimer’s Disease. I’m driven by a deep personal commitment that started when I witnessed my grandmother’s health crisis, and that commitment has only grown with every challenge I’ve faced—whether it was helping to save the rest of my grandmother’s teeth to rehabbing Tinzley’s oral health or now helping large animals at the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul.
I believe in the power of science and innovation to not only heal but also prevent suffering. My work on balancing the oral microbiome through SMMRT isn’t just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a way to help me love my loved ones for as long as possible. I want to build solutions that protect against the unforeseen consequences of microbe-driven diseases, help people and pets live healthier, fuller lives.
In every project and product, I’m motivated by the idea that improving health goes far beyond treating symptoms—it’s about restoring balance and empowering our bodies to thrive naturally. That’s what fuels my passion, every single day.
Pricing:
- (Humans) Dental Lozenges (mints): $32 (120ct) – $131 (400ct)
- (Humans) Water Additives: $40 (30ct)
- (Humans) Toothpaste Tablets: $18-$21 (60ct)
- (Pets) Prebiotic Dental Powders $25( 30svg) – $154 (180svg)
- (Pets) Lickable Dental Treat Powders (protein-based): $35 (30svg)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Primalhealthllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teefhealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEEFhealth/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhealthllc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@teefforlife
- Other: TEEFhealth.com, DailyDentalCares.com
