Simulation of Food Mastication Based on Discrete Element Method

The information on mastication and food sensory properties is usually collected by recording people´ ingesting and chewing actions using electromyography, fluorography, cinephotography, videofluorography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, and so on. The process of human food mastication and swallowing is investigated by discrete (or distinct) element method (DEM) in this work. As a kind of numerical analysis and simulation method for particle material motion, DEM have been applied not only to soil or rock mechanics problems but also to applied mechanics, such as powder mechanics and particulate media engineering. The fundamental concepts and algorithms of DEM are presented in this paper. Two initial models of human chewing and swallowing are constructed and relevant simulations are executed by PFC2D software. The first biting of rectangle food, round food, round food with a hole and the food swallowing are simulated. Changes in food reduction and jaw motion with respect to food mechanical properties and oral cavity state are observed during simulations. The movement and interaction of food particles, contact forces between the particles and teeth are analyzed. Results from simulations can help understand masticatory performance and promote food product development.