Causes

• Tooth discoloration is often caused by beverages. Coffee, tea and cola are brown and will stain teeth over time. To prevent such staining, avoid these beverages. Smoking or chewing tobacco not only causes yellow staining, it's also harmful to health. Aging can also play a role in tooth discoloration.
  
  

At-Home Treatments

• There are many dental products for yellow stains on teeth at home and preventing them from returning. Many toothpastes contain whitening agents; using these pastes twice a day will whiten your smile overtime, but it also might increase sensitivity. Many rinses and mouthwashes also contain ingredients to whiten teeth.
  
  If your teeth require extensive whitening, purchase an at-home whitening kit. These kits contain peroxide or other bleaching agents, which are placed inside a mouth guard or tray and are inserted over your teeth. These products can take anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours to work. They might need to be used several times to achieve the whiteness you desire. Whitening strips are an alternative to gels or pastes; these thin strips contain bleaching agents and fit easily over your teeth. Carefully follow all directions for any home whitening system.
  
  

Dental Bleaching

• If you are concerned about using harsh chemicals on your teeth without guidance, you might choose to have your teeth bleached at your dentist's office. This procedure usually takes up to an hour, and it might need to be repeated several times. The dentist applies a bleaching solution to a tray that keeps bleach on the teeth and away from the gums. Your dentist may also use a light or lasers to whiten teeth.
  
  

Bonding and Veneers

• Bonding might be able to restore your smile without using harsh chemicals such as bleach and peroxide. Bonding essentially covers damaged or discolored teeth with a liquid plastic that hardens into a toothlike substance. Although this method is less expensive than veneers, the bonding material might become stained, and it will deteriorate over time, though bonding should last at least three years. Avoid chewing your fingernails or other hard objects, as bonding can chip.
  
  Veneers are made of resin or porcelain. They fit over your teeth and are cemented into place. Veneers will not stain or become discolored. They cannot be removed, and the need to be replaced every five to 10 years. Veneers sometimes cause tooth and gum sensitivity.