The present invention provides cement compositions that include degradable materials, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention includes: providing a cement composition that includes a hydraulic cement, and a degradable material; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; allowing the cement composition to set therein; and allowing the degradable material to degrade. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of enhancing the mechanical properties of a cement composition including adding a degradable material to the cement composition and allowing the degradable material to degrade.