There are a number of foods that are more likely to discolor or stain your teeth than other foods. So, let's take a look:

    Chromogenic foods: The term "chromogenic foods" simply refers to foods (actually it ends up being beverages mostly) that when consumed over time have the ability to produce a staining effect on teeth. Some of the most common and well known chromogenic foods and beverages are coffee, tea, cola, and red wine, but the list is not limited to that.
    Tobacco, contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. Brands do not matter, or make a difference, but until you quit, you will have continually stained teeth
    Coffee, contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. Most coffee drinkers drink coffee daily, which leads to deeper stains and more difficulty in keeping teeth looking white.
    Tea, contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. This depends on the type of teeth, some actually do the opposite, but you can always ask your dentist about your favorite variety.
    Red wine, contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. The occasional red wine drinker will not notice much staining, but if a glass of red wine is common with dinner you will notice staining.
    Colas, contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. Much like coffee, cola drinkers who drink these beverages daily will have deeper, more difficult to remove staining as the syrup is very potent and dark.
    Orange soda contains dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. This leads to yellowing.

So what can you do if these rinks are causing your teeth to be stained: well you have a couple of options: First, you can have your teeth whitened, which is what most people choose to do. However, if you continue to use these products, the stains may return within a month or so. So, that leads to the second options which is to considerably cut back your consumption, or quit altogether. There is a third option, but it is difficult and inconvenient because most people consume these beverages on the go, however, you can always be sure to brush your teeth within 15-20 minutes after drinking these beverages or smoking.

The following are some examples of foods that lead to discoloration of your teeth
    Blueberries,
    Chocolate,
    Mustard,
    Tomatoes,
    Other dark and acidic foods
All of these can, and over time, likely will discolor your teeth. In fact, the truth of the matter is simply that anything that can stain your carpet can discolor your teeth.

So, with this in mind, what can you do?
Clearly you can get your teeth whitened as often as possible, and this will take care of the problem, but it is not a solution, just a band-aid.
Brushing after each meal can help prevent these stains, and will make whitening last much longer.
Rinse your mouth with water when you do not have time or the ability to brush, this can greatly help.

So, what foods won't stain your teeth?
    Melons,
    Peaches,
    Summer fruit high in water content
    Cheese
    Low acidic foods
All of these foods are less likely to cause cavities, and some can even help prevent them by giving your body nutrients it needs. Also these foods can help prevent stains. Preventing cavities is more important obviously. Cavities discolor teeth and give teeth a grayish tinge.

Stronger teeth means less chance of tooth decay and rot, so how can you make your teeth stronger? The following are 6 tips for stronger teeth:

Tip one: Keep your teeth healthy and in turn make them stronger through proper brushing techniques.
    Brush at least twice a day - after breakfast and before bedtime.
    When possible brush after each meal and snack. This is not realistic for most, but if you can brush after lunch or after snacks, especially snacks of the sweet variety, your teeth will be much stronger because brushing properly helps to break down plaque, which leads to stronger teeth because of less tooth decay.
    Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Many children short cut brushing and only brush the ones they show to mom and dad, the problem with this is that the brushing habits we establish as children carry over into our adult lives. So, spend some time on the teeth along the sides and in the back.
    Brush away from your gums. You are brushing to break plaque down, so you want to remove it from the gum line, not force it into your gums.
    Take your time while brushing, this is not a race. You should always spend at least 3 minutes each time you brush. This can be difficult to do, especially if you have trouble keeping track of time. A good solution is start a song on your stereo as you begin brushing, and don't stop until the song is over. Or, brush during the commercials of one of your favorite television programs. This not only helps you get the time right, but it makes the time go faster by giving you something to do.

Tip two: Get stronger teeth by using the right equipment. Many people weaken their teeth unknowingly by brushing too hard, or by using a tooth brush that has too hard of bristles, or not replacing it often enough. These can lead to receding gums, or breaking down of enamel.
    Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles. You can simply look at the packaging to ensure it has soft bristles.
    Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months, or more often. A newer toothbrush is always better for your teeth, you get a better clean, and the bristles are in a good condition so instead of hurting your teeth and gums, it benefits them.

Tip three: Get stronger teeth by preventing decay and cavities. If you have to get fillings your teeth will not be as strong because essentially what happens is part of the tooth structure is removed, and although it is filled with a new substance (composite or silver amalgam) it is weaker. This means that it is more likely to crack, fracture, etc. So, prevent cavities by using the above brushing techniques combined with proper flossing, regular dentist visits, etc.
    Learn how to floss your teeth the right way to make it most effective. Slip the dental floss between each tooth and up along the gum line. The floss gets rid of food that's hidden where your toothbrush can't get it, no matter how well you brush, you should always floss.
    It's also important to visit the dentist twice a year. Besides checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist will help keep your teeth extra clean, and he or she can help you learn the best way to brush and floss.

Tip four: Eat and drink foods that promote strong teeth. It's not just brushing and flossing that keep your teeth healthy - you also need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda, and promote healthier stronger bones by getting enough calcium as well as the other nutrients your body needs.

Tip five: Ask your dentist for other recommendations and he or she will be better aware of your specific needs.

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your lungs, can contribute to cancer, etc. But not as many people are aware of the huge affect smoking has on your teeth.

Did you know that smokers loose more teeth than nonsmokers do?  In fact, only about 20 percent of people over age 65 who have never smoked are toothless, while a whopping 41.3 percent of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless.

What other affects does smoking have on your teeth?
    Smokers don't heal as well after periodontal treatment as former smokers or nonsmokers do. This can be hugely problematic, especially if a smoker needed dental implants, etc. However, if you quit successfully before the procedure, the negative effects subside.
    Smoking, as well as other forms of tobacco can cause gums to recede. This can later lead to teeth falling out, and other oral health problems
    Smoking will greatly increase your chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place. Once again this leads to tooth loss, which means expense and pain, as well as embarrassment.
    One study showed that cigar smokers experience tooth loss and alveolar bone loss at rates equivalent to those of cigarette smokers, and pipe smokers experience tooth loss at a rate similar to cigarette smokers. So, it really does not matter what you are smoking, or how, you are going to have negative affects on your teeth.
    Discoloration and other cosmetic problems also occur due to tobacco used when smoking. Often this problem can be corrected with tooth whiteners, but that does not mean it won't come back. In fact, it comes back very quickly, and can be difficult to remove.
    Other oral problems as well. There is a lot of research to show that the following problems occur more often in people who use tobacco products:
o    Oral cancer- cancer in any form is scary, but oral cancer is absolutely miserable. So, your option is basically to quit.
o    Bad breath- one of the affects of smoking as far as your mouth goes is simply that you will have bad breath. This is never fun for the people around you, and often times, even strong mouthwashes, and gum won't hide the problem.
o    Stained teeth: we have already talked about this, but this is a cosmetic problem 100% of smokers suffer from, and really, you could spend thousands of dollars whitening and you will still see staining from smoking.
o    Tooth loss- this is likely the most miserable of the affects smoking has on teeth. When you do not have your teeth eating is not as fun, smiles are not as brilliant, and life in general is not as enjoyable.
o    Bone loss- this can be very serious, your teeth will weaken, your jaw bones will weaken, implants won't work, etc.
o    Loss of taste: food is so enjoyable, and not being able to appreciate the flavors is one affect smoking has on the mouth.
o    Less success with periodontal treatment- if you end up with gum disease, which you likely will, your dentist will do everything they can to treat it, but one affect of smoking is that treatment is rendered not nearly as effective.
o    Less success with dental implants- failure of dental implants is not only terribly painful, it is also expensive, and this is certainly one disappointing affect of smoking.
o    Mouth sores- your body will not be able to fight off infections and bacteria as easily if you smoke, and thus one affect of smoking is mouth sores.
o    Facial wrinkling- smoking makes your wrinkle faster, end of story.
As you can see, smoking affects teeth is 100% negative ways. There is no positive affect of smoking when it comes to your teeth. Also, as shown, smoking does not only affect your teeth, but it also affects your whole mouth, from bad breath to facial wrinkles.

Knowing what is causing stains can help you combat them. The following are foods that can cause teeth to stain:

Chromogenic foods:
These are foods that when consumed over time have the ability to produce a staining effect on teeth. Examples include: coffee, tea, cola, and red wine. To combat staining from these products you should either cut back on how much you use them, rinse with water immediately after, or if possible, brush as soon as you finish consuming them.

Tobacco products:
The cumulative effect of the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and even smokeless tobacco can cause tooth staining. So, what are your options for combating these stains? You can quit using tobacco products, that is obviously the most effective, you can be sure to practice great oral hygiene, and you will probably want to get your teeth professionally cleaned every 3-4 months.

Medications:
The use of some medicines can cause tooth discoloration. A couple of examples include: the antibiotic tetracycline. This antibiotic produces blue-gray tooth staining if it is ingested during those periods when tooth formation is occurring. So, combat this by not taking this medicine when forming teeth, or by asking your doctor for a different option. Pregnant women and children 8 years and under should not be given tetracycline products. Minocycline is another medication that can cause tooth discoloration even in adults. Minocycline is often used to treat facial skin conditions, so combat this tooth staining agent by taking it with food, and brushing teeth regularly and well, or ask your doctor to give you something else.

Foods:
Any food that can stain your carpet can stain your teeth. Combat this staining by having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, swish water after eating a dark hued food, or brush as soon after as possible.

Fluoride:
Too much fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. Fluoride stains can range in color from chalky white to brown. So, while your child is developing teeth, make sure that they use fluoride free toothpaste, or their teeth may be discolored.

Physiological processes:
There can be a number of physiologic processes, both normal and pathological, that can have an affect on a tooth's color. This is really not something you can combat, but you can speak with both your doctor and your dentist about possible whitening options, and ways to reduce effects.

Aging:
It is a normal event that a person's teeth will darken with age. This, once again can not per say be combated, but you can ensure proper oral hygiene which will help you keep your sparkling smile much longer.

Tooth decay:
Locations where tooth decay exists are typically brown to black in color. So, combat this tooth discoloration by taking good care of your teeth and avoiding tooth decay.

Tooth trauma:
Teeth that have experienced trauma (like being hit too hard) can discolor. In many cases this discoloration is an indication that the nerve inside the tooth has died. Tooth whiteners will not help with this discoloration, you will have to talk to your doctor, or possibly have the tooth removed.