I have two tongue piercings, parallel and i'm not a slut, at all. I got them done because i think they're pretty and i'd wanted them for three years.
I don't mean to be rude but it isn't a mutilation. There isn't really much in the way of risks if you go to a professional and trustworthy piercer. As for the pain, i had an ear piercing that hurt more than my tongue and it didn't bleed either. (And i've yet to get any nasty infections.)