A NEWBORN baby girl from Newport surprised her parents minutes after she was born – because she flashed a pair of pearly whites at them.

Little Imogen Elliott, who is just two weeks old, was born with two small but perfectly formed teeth in her lower jaw.

Midwives at the Royal Gwent Hospital, in Newport, where she was born, were left baffled by the rare occurrence of natal teeth – which happens in just one in every 2,000 babies.

Natal teeth are teeth that are present when the baby is born and are usually baby teeth which have come through early. The teeth are sometimes loose because the root is not completely developed, and have to be removed, but little Imogen’s teeth were given the all-clear.

Proud mum Stacey Lewis, 24, said: “I spotted them straightaway. As soon as she was born they put her on my chest and I saw them – they are pretty noticeable.

“I don’t think the midwives knewwhat to say as they had never seen it happen before. I was surprised but not shocked because my niece was also born with teeth – I was more shocked when she was born as that was the first time I’d heard of it.”

Ms Lewis said her partner, Scott Elliott, 27, was worried his little girl might choke on the teeth.

Midwives would not let the new family leave the hospital until they had spoken to a specialist pediatrician. When they confirmed the teeth were secure they were told they could go home.

Ms Lewis added: “They said it was fine as long as they aren’t wobbly, and they aren’t.

“All these different midwives kept popping in and asking to see ‘the baby with the teeth’, it was funny.

“My family thought it must be quite common, what with Imogen and my niece, but Scott’s family were really shocked – they had never even heard of it before.

That’s when we realised how rare it is.

“Apparently it’s hereditary, which would explain it.

“We’ll be booking her in for her first dental appointment soon, just to make sure they are growing properly – but at the momen