We all know the importance of maintaining healthy habits, but many of us often forget that it takes more than just exercise to keep our bodies running like a well-oiled machine.

In a statement from the American Heart Association it was said that habitual physical activity, such as walking, running, or swimming, prevents the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and reduces symptoms in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

This finding may not surprise many of you, but what you might not know is that a recent study in the British Medical Journal determined that participants who reported less frequent tooth brushing had a 70% increased risk of a cardiovascular disease compared with participants who brushed their teeth twice a day.

Dr. Sancerie O’Rourke-Allen founded Distinctive Smiles of Baton Rouge in hopes of giving back to the community and encouraging individuals to treat their mouth as well as they treat their bodies. In her practice, she believes that preventative care and education are the keys to optimal dental health. This can be applied across the board in regards to a healthy body.

With the understanding that dentistry is her passion, she wanted to become devoted to being an advocate of the total health and wellness movement. She believes that a person’s body is a machine and that in order to lead a truly healthy lifestyle, all the parts of your body should be functioning at a high level.

Dr. O’Rourke-Allen decided the best way to approach encouraging overall health was to reach out to the community. After searching for an organization that inspired her and focused on instituting this lifestyle, she discovered Girls on the Run of Greater Baton Rouge in 2012.

“Girls on the Run is one of the most powerful youth organizations centered around the well-being of females and I love it,” said Dr. O’Rourke-Allen. “To have an organization that focuses on letting young girls know they can achieve anything, as well as, encourage them to be healthy is very powerful.”

With the impact she personally felt from working with Girls on the Run, she decided to not only pursue running as a hobby, but to reach out to rest the of the running community, encouraging a healthy body from head to toe.

“I wasn’t a runner until I participated with Girls On The Run. The Couch to 5K app is what pushed me to build up my endurance for running. It actually relaxes me a great deal; my mind is clear and my body feels great.”

For more information on Dr. O’Rourke-Allen and Distinctive Smiles of Baton Rouge, please visit their Web site, www.distinctivesmilesofbr.com and visit them on Facebook.com/DistinctiveSmilesBR.