One of the best things about the holidays is the abundance of delicacies to satisfy your sweet tooth.

But indulging in all those cakes, cobblers and candies can take a toll on your teeth if you aren’t careful.

“As soon as we take our first bite into something sugary, the bacteria in plaque begin to produce acids,” explains Dr. Richard Price, a dentist and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA). “While the acid is being produced, it starts to rob the tooth of minerals and that’s how decay starts.”

While all sweets are potential cavity time bombs, treats that stick to teeth like caramel, gummy candies, licorice and fruit cakes are especially harmful because saliva–nature’s cleansing agent–can’t wash them away as easily.

But sugary foods aren’t the only producers of decay-causing plaque. Starches like bread, crackers and cereal also cause harmful acids to form in the mouth.

To keep holiday goodies from ruining your healthy smile, the American Dental Society offers the following teeth-friendly tips:

* Limit snacking between meals. Every time you snack, tooth-damaging acids build up in your mouth. The more you snack, especially if you eat sweets, the more acid is produced, increasing your chances of tooth decay.

Dentists say eat sweets after your main meal, when they cause the least damage. “If you don’t want to eat the sweets as a dessert, then pick some other time of day,” Dr. Price suggests. “Try to eat all your sweets in one sitting rather than eating sweets all day long.”

* Eat a balanced diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease–the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Instead of snacking on sweets and other junk foods, opt for raw veggies, plain yogurt, cheese or fruit.

* Brush and floss every day. Brushing cleans cavity-causing plaque from the surfaces of teeth and flossing removes plaque the toothbrush can’t reach–in the spaces between teeth.

The ADA recommends brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day to prevent decay and gum disease, and making visits to the dentist every 6 months for a checkup.

When you brush, use one with soft bristles to avoid injuring gums and also gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

* Drink plenty of water. Water is good for your body and your teeth in that it keeps the saliva working to wash away excess bacteria.