Fluid Flow Behavior Based on Tongue/Upper Palate Micro-gap

In order to investigate the fluid flow behavior in the oral environment, numerical methods and rheological tests were used to investigate the influencing factors of fluid flow under the micro-gap between the tongue and the upper palate. A simplified model of the tongue and the upper palate under the micro-gap and the Reynolds equation were established. The flow value under the micro-gap was obtained by mean of numerical method. The viscosity and shear rate of the non-Newtonian fluid were investigated using the DHR-2 rheometer. The effect factors on the flow were discussed by Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The results show that the reciprocal of the square of Newtonian fluid flow functioned as a linear relation with the ratio of load to viscosity and time. The prepared non-Newtonian fluid was approximately power-law fluid, and its viscosity increased with the increasing fat content. The varied rate of non-Newtonian fluid flow underwent a firstly higher then lower than that equivalent Newtonian fluid. The research results can provide technical support for the development of specific populations’ functional products.