Small Business Standout: Primal Health, LLC - 2025 Pet Dental Care Company of the Year

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with Emily Stein, Co-Founder, on the innovative TEEF For Life pet dental care solutions

Primal Health LLC, a Northeast Minneapolis oral health company (for both people and animals), was named 2025 Pet Dental Care Company of the Year in the 7th Annual Pet Innovation Awards for their TEEF for Life pet dental program - besting thousands of applications from around the world! The 2025 award recognizes TEEF's groundbreaking work in shifting pet dental care from a bactericidal approach to a science-backed, microbiome-friendly solution that not only improves oral hygiene but also contributes to a pet's systemic well-being, as poor dental health is linked to heart, kidney, and liver disease.

Emily Stein

We talked to Emily Stein, Co-Founder and Entrepreneur, about what inspired her to develop TEEF for Life, what makes their products so innovative, and other products (for humans!) on the drawing table - or should I say, in the lab. If you have a pet lover in your life – these products would be a great gift!

Q:  What do you think sets TEEF for Life apart from other companies in the pet dental care space?

A:  Honestly, it’s our entire philosophy. Most of the dental space has been stuck in a very antiquated, mechanical mindset: scrape, scrub, or kill. You have dental chews that try to scrape off tartar, toothbrushes that try to scrub it away, and toothpastes, sprays, and gels that use harsh chemicals to kill everything in sight.

We're fundamentally different because we are approaching the problem from an immune-safe and microbiology-safe point of view. We don't treat the symptoms (plaque and tartar); we solve the root problem that causes it (an imbalanced oral microbiome that leads to inflammation).

What sets us apart is this three-fold approach: 

1. We work with biology, not against it. We are focused on rebalancing the mouth's natural ecosystem. It’s a targeted, precision approach versus the "scorched earth" method that most other pet dental products use.
2. It’s an elegant solution. Compliance = easy to use. A scoop of our powder concentrate in the water bowl, on food, on a treat, etc., can be a game-changer for our pets, but super easy for us to be compliant. It removes the stress and guilt for pet parents.
3. It’s whole-mouth health. A chew or a brush only touches the surfaces it can reach. TEEF reaches the source of the issue, even under the gumline, where no other products can reach. That’s where the really harmful bacteria hide, and that's where we go to work. 

Q:  You touched on this - TEEF has moved away from a traditional bactericidal approach toward a science-backed microbiome-focused method. Can you explain what that shift means in practical terms for pet owners?

A:  Yes - this is my favorite topic! The "bactericidal" or "kill 'em all" approach is what we've been taught for decades in medicine. It is the worst thing for protecting the body against infection, inflammation, cancers, and other maladies. We now know that all microbes are NOT bad and these durable buggers can withstand lasers, UV light, x-rays, and other things that would blow up our fragile mammalian cells. My research, and the entire field of microbiology, has shown this is not only wrong but can be counterproductive.

In practical terms for a pet owner, TEEF means: 

• You're no longer carpet-bombing your pet's mouth. A bactericidal approach kills the good bacteria along with the bad, which can lead to gut, skin, dental problems and more. The good bacteria are essential for maintaining a healthy balance. When you wipe them out, the bad bacteria, which are often more resilient, can grow back even stronger and faster.
• You're creating a self-balanced, healthier mouth. Diversity = balance. It’s like being a smart gardener of the dental flora/fauna. TEEF formulations selectively target the "weeds" (the bad, disease-associated bacteria) by making it really difficult for them to grow and stick to teeth and causing trouble. At the same time, TEEF ingredients feed the "flowers" (the good bacteria that pollinate the system). A balanced, healthy microbiome can then police itself, keeping the bad guys in check long-term and making the mouth a more resilient ecosystem.
• It's safer and gentle. You're not putting harsh chemicals, alcohol, or antibiotics into your pet's system day after day. You're using safe, human-grade ingredients that work in harmony with their oral microbiome.

So, in short, it means you're moving from a temporary, destructive fix to a sustainable, biological solution that promotes genuine oral health from the inside out.

Q:  How do you ensure that your products remain evidence-based as new veterinary science emerges?

A:  As a scientist, I am evidence-based. It's the bedrock for building good products. Our commitment to this is unwavering, and we do it in a few key ways:

First, our foundational science is solid and has been studied and evaluated in humans, pets and zoo animals since 2012. Our innovation, patented natural ingredients, and their easy delivery provides a practical solution that addresses unmet needs in daily oral hygiene maintenance.

Second, we are committed to continuous research. I spend a significant amount of time reading the latest scientific literature in microbiology, immunology, and veterinary medicine. We are always evaluating new findings to see how they might refine or improve our understanding and our next product.

Third, we listen and collaborate. We work closely with pet parents and veterinarians who use and recommend our products. Their concerns and observations are an invaluable source of real-world data. We also have a scientific advisory board that helps us stay on the cutting edge. My team and I are constantly asking, "Is there a better way? Is there a new ingredient or a new understanding that can make our product even more effective and easier?" Science is a process of constant discovery, and TEEF is a science-first product line.

P42K Kit 90

P30 Kit 30

Q:  What kinds of results are pet parents seeing when they use TEEF products?

A:  The results are what make all the hard work worth it! They're truly remarkable and often follow a predictable pattern. 

1. Fresher Breath (Fast!): This is usually the very first thing owners notice, often within the first one to two weeks. The foul odor from dental disease is caused by volatile sulfur compounds produced by bad bacteria. When TEEF neutralizes these bacteria, the bad breath goes away. It's not masked with flavoring—it's genuinely gone.
2. Whiter, Cleaner Teeth: Over the first several weeks to months, pet parents report seeing plaque and tartar soften, flake away, or diminish. The teeth start to look visibly cleaner and whiter.
3. Healthier Gums: They'll notice that red/orange, inflamed gums start to look pinker and healthier.
4. Better Vet Check-ups: This is the big one. We get messages all the time from customers saying their vet was amazed at the improvement. Many have been able to postpone or even cancel expensive and risky professional dental cleanings.

For me, the best "results" are the stories of senior dogs playing like puppies again because their mouths don't hurt, or a rescue dog finally getting a clean bill of health. Our mission is to help you love them longer.

Q:  How do you educate pet owners who might be used to the “kill the germs” mindset about the benefits of balancing the oral microbiome?

A:  It takes patience and a good analogy. I start by acknowledging that the "kill the germs" mindset makes sense—it's what we've all been taught! I often use the garden analogy I mentioned earlier, as it seems to paint a visual that is easily understood.

I also relate it to something more people are familiar with now: probiotics for gut health. People understand the concept of "good gut bacteria" from yogurt and supplements. I explain that the mouth works the same way and is AS important as the gut. The oral ecosystem is complex and health depends on balance, not sterility. We are continually learning about how important these bacteria are in maintaining health in the mouth and beyond. We believe that the key to success is working to make a pets’ own bacteria work for them, not against them.

Q:  How might your research influence not only pet oral health, but broader pet wellness categories?

A:  This is the most exciting frontier for us. The mouth is the gateway to the body. Chronic inflammation and harmful bacteria in the mouth don't just stay there—they can enter the bloodstream and impact the entire system.

My own grandmother’s health decline, which was linked to her severe dental issues, is a constant reminder of this systemic connection.

Our research into the oral-systemic link has profound implications for broader pet wellness. We're looking at how a balanced oral microbiome can potentially:

• Address systemic inflammation: This is a key driver of many chronic diseases, including arthritis, metabolic and heart disease.
• Support cardiovascular health: There is a known link between periodontal disease and heart issues in both humans and pets.
• Improve kidney and liver function: These organs are responsible for filtering the blood, and a lower bacterial load from the mouth can reduce their burden.

My ultimate vision is to see oral wellness integrated as a foundational pillar of overall preventive health care for all mammals. In fact, we just finished a study with the Como Zoo in St. Paul evaluating TEEF’s effects on a range of exotic animals ranging from sea lions with gingivitis to snow leopards with resorptive lesions. Our data show positive down stream effects when we change oral microbes’ diets. It’s not just about clean teeth; it’s about building up healthy bacteria linked to healthier years of life.

Q:  On a personal note, what inspired you to take on pet dental care as a mission?

A:  As I mentioned, it was a deeply personal, two-part journey.

It began with my grandmother. Learning of her stroke that happened the day following a tooth extraction was a formative, heartbreaking experience. It lit a fire in me to understand the oral microbiome and its devastating potential if left unchecked.

Years later, that scientific passion collided with my love for my rescue dog, Tinzley. She came to me with a mouth full of problems. Her breath could clear a room! The vet's only solution at that time was an expensive, high-risk surgery to extract 21 teeth. I researched everything on the market to keep her remaining teeth, but they weren’t something I’d want Tinzley to ingest daily or were simply ineffective. Plus, the daily battle of brushing was stressful for both of us - she would legit run away from me when I brought out her fingerbrush…toothbrushing is so invasive when someone is doing it to you.

I knew there had to be a better way. I took my research from my grandmother's and Tinzley’s conditions and went to work. It was the perfect fusion of my professional expertise and my personal love for my family members. I was on a personal/professional mission to block the root cause of tooth loss.

That’s why this is more than a business to me. TEEF was born from love and loss, and it’s fueled by a mission to spare other pet parents the heartache, stress and expense that I went through. Every pet deserves a healthy mouth, and every owner deserves an easy way to provide that.

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