Lori
I am currently going thru this process. My upper gum was tender and then felt like an abcess. I went to my dentist and they put me on antibotics and I returned in 3 days...they were not pleased and referred me to an oral surgeon. The next day I saw the oral surgeon who did a biopsy. The biopsy was cancer.
For your own peace of mind and to make sure......
Find another dentist and if need be get the biopsy.