I was reading an editorial from the editor of BMEzine.com, and have it quoted below:

“Until about 1980 people thought that tongue piercing was totally insane and that it would cripple a person… but as it’s turned out, it’s one of the safest and most common piercings out there.”

http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/2004…

So, this woman who is very educated on piercings says that tongue piercings are one of the safest. However, I was told by a friend who works in a general physician's clinic that because the veins in the tongue go straight to the heart, there's a good risk of heart problems if a tongue piercing gets infected.

Which is true? Either or both?

Answer:
The reason they say that tongue piercings are the “safest” is because the mouth heals the quickest, and is least LIKELY to get infected. Also, based on statistics, less people have issues with their tongue piercings because they tend to take superior care of them so they DON'T get infected.

The tongue has numerous veins, and nerves in it. Would you want to chance it?

If you do plan on having your tongue pierced, be sure that it is done by a trained professional with brand new, never used, clean needles/jewelery, and that you take good care of it.

Answer:
its not the safest.

1.The mouth is moist and full of bacteria, and the tongue has major blood vessels ideal for spreading infection to the brain and elsewhere. This can disfigure or kill you.

2.There is also the possibility of hitting a nerve, and damaging that. Imagine life with a tongue that doesn't work properly.

and so many other problems can happen.

but ive had mine done for nearly a year and as long as the person whos doing it has a degree and a license and you take care of it properly, you should be fine.

Answer:
It isn’t the safest piercing, when getting it pierced, if the peircer doesnt know what they’re doing, and hit a nerve, it can paralyse you. And yes, if it gets infected it can cause heart problems, but it can be a safe and good piercing if you get it done professionally and look after it.

Ive had mine done 3 years and not had any problems.

Answer:
Tongue piercings may cause many problems, because it is a muscle - that's like getting your calves peirced, if you think about it lol. I advocate staying away from tounge piercings.
Answer:
From what I learned tongue piercings can affect your heart if they get infected but also there is a main artery in your tongue that if they hit, you're screwd. But I'm not that educated on tongue piercings.
Answer:
tongue piercings are not the safest piercing to get by far. it could get infected and you could have to get it amputated.
Answer:
any piercing is dangerous, but tounge piercings are one of the safest suprisingly as long as the person doing it is a professional. If its done in correctly, u might never taste again
Answer:
i personally believe your friend. im not sure tongu piercign is that safe. it seems insane to think so.
Answer:
It could cripple a person if it's not cared for. It's not the safest. Eyebrow piercing to me seems safe
Answer:
all i know is any kind of piercing are dangerus except for a ear piercing