Which of the following statements about polishing procedures is true?

Minimal pressure is necessary when polishing because using excessive force can lead to tooth damage, enamel wear, or gum irritation. The objective of polishing is to remove plaque and superficial stains without harming the tooth structure. Light pressure allows the polishing tool to glide over the surface of the tooth while effectively achieving a smooth finish without causing abrasion.

In contrast, the other statements do not reflect best practices for tooth polishing. For instance, polishing paste should not be dry; it needs some moisture to effectively adhere to the polishing tools and facilitate the removal of debris. Regarding the amount of polishing paste, typically, only a small amount is required for each tooth rather than a full cupful, which would be wasteful and impractical. Lastly, polishing should be conducted for an appropriate duration for effectiveness, but exceeding 10 seconds is not necessary and could be counterproductive, as the goal is to achieve a polished surface without over-polishing.