The normal adult dog has 42 teeth and 28 for puppies. This holds true for all dogs regardless of the dog's size and breed. Toy breeds may lose teeth easily due to crowding, and some dogs may be born missing teeth or even with extra teeth, but ideally there should be 42.

Dog teeth inclusive 12 incisors (the small dog teeth in the very front) that are used for delicately grasping things. The large canine teeth comes next, with two on the bottom and two on top. The canines are used for biting (both for protection and to catch food), to help keep the tongue in the mouth so it doesn't dry out, and to carry things. Following the canines come the premolars. These teeth get progressively bigger as you go back in your dog's mouth and are used for shearing and chewing. There should be sixteen premolars total, but these are the teeth that seem to be missing most often. The last teeth are the molars, with four on the top and six on the bottom.

Your pet's gums should be pink. Pale gums may mean that your pet is anemic, bluish gums are a sign of serious respiratory or heart problems, and a yellowish hue may just be normal pigment spots, but it's best to have any change in gum color checked by your veterinarian.

Your dogs' teeth should be white and smooth. If they are yellow or brown, they are probably covered with dental tartar and need to be cleaned.

The most common cause of bad breath is dental disease, but it can also be caused by kidney disease and digestive problems.