Aim:
Background: Children are more susceptible to several gingival diseases, paralleling to those observed in adults. There is a continuous synergy between nutrition and the integrity of periodontium. Aims: To assess the gingival health status and tooth wear in relation to nutritional status among primary schoolchildren in Al-Najaf city.

Material and methods:
Materials and methods: In this study, 1010 children (476 males and 534 females) from primary schools were included with age range 6-14 years old. The gingival inflammation was evaluated by the application of Gingival Index of Löe and Silness. Nutritional status assessed by using body mass index for age. Data collected through clinical examination with the consent of parents and teachers.

Results:
Results: Prevalence of gingivitis was 47% mild gingivitis, 6.5% moderate gingivitis, and 0.8% sever gingivitis. The higher percentage of mild gingivitis was found with underweight group 46.2% for male and 60.7% for female. For total sample, the higher mean value of Gingival Index was found with underweight group 0.67, with significant relation between groups of nutritional status p=0.013. Prevalence of tooth wear was about 29.1%. The percentage of tooth wear was higher in female 32.4% than male 25.4% with significant relation p=0.009.

Conclusions:
Conclusion: Mild gingivitis was higher than moderate and sever gingivitis. Gingivitis is higher in females than males. A highly significant relation was recorded between gingivitis and gender. A significant association between gingivitis and nutritional status. Gingivitis was found higher with underweight group than other groups of nutritional status. A higher percentage of tooth wear was found with underweight children.