You can also prevent stains with whitening toothpaste. Proper tooth-brushing techniques are essential. Charcoal toothpaste is not proven to be effective. As the toothpaste is abrasive, it can cause excessive wear on the tooth surface.
You can use a wet terry cloth with a bit of baking soda to remove localized areas of stains. However, this should be used with caution, as excessive use strips the tooth enamel.